Abstract: Presented are multi-pulse fuel injection systems for monitoring engine fuel injectors for missed pulses, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A method of operating a fuel injection system includes an engine controller determining if the system's injectors are operating in a multi-pulse mode for injecting multiple fuel pulses per combustion cycle to an engine's cylinders and, if so, monitoring pulse signals transmitted to the injectors for injecting the multiple fuel pulses. For each combustion cycle for each injector, the controller flags a cylinder misfire if any one of the fuel pulses for that combustion cycle is missed. For each cylinder, the controller calculates a misfire ratio of a total number of cylinder misfires to a total number of combustion cycles; if one of these misfire ratios exceeds a calibrated misfire limit, the controller commands a resident subsystem to execute control operations to mitigate the misfires.

Abstract: A method for switching between a degraded mode and a normal mode for determining the angular position of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The method includes the following steps, in a degraded mode: detecting the free space and the teeth of the toothed wheel of the crankshaft from the signal generated by the crankshaft sensor during the rotation of the crankshaft, determining the minimum rotation speed of each combustion top dead center of the crankshaft during a revolution of the crankshaft from the detected free space and the detected teeth, determining the angular positions of the crankshaft corresponding to the minimum determined rotation speeds, and switching to normal mode when, for each combustion top dead center, the difference between the determined angular position of the crankshaft and a reference angular position value is below a predetermined position threshold for at least one revolution of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A session control apparatus, a session control method, and a session control program may maintain a quality of input data output to a processing module. The processing module has a defined condition regarding a quality of the input data. The session control apparatus includes an extraction unit, a selection unit, and a switching unit. The extraction unit extracts a plurality of candidates of devices. The selection unit selects at least one device from the plurality of candidates of devices. The switching unit switches the device that outputs the input data to the processing module to the at least one device selected by the selection unit. Each of the plurality of candidates of devices outputs input data satisfying the condition.

Abstract: At least one target area is identified based on a pollution concentration field of a geographic area. At least one candidate site is selected from a plurality of sites within the geographic area based on a relationship between the plurality of sites and pollution sources, where the plurality of sites are potential positions for deploying sensors for monitoring pollution. A target site is determined from the at least one candidate site based on the at least one target area.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve driver includes: an electric power feeder configured to apply a power voltage obtained by switching a battery voltage to one end of an electromagnetic coil of an electromagnetic valve; a detector configured to detect a drive current flowing through the electromagnetic coil; and a power supply configured to supply power to the detector. The electric power feeder adjusts the drive current by operating in a state in which the power voltage is applied to the electromagnetic coil on the basis of a detection value of the detector. The power supply supplies the power obtained by sampling and holding a reference power in a period excluding a switching period of the battery voltage in the electric power feeder to the detector.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a variable displacement engine that includes a knock control system. Engine background noise levels for detecting engine knock may be the basis for determining whether or not the engine is operating in a cylinder deactivation mode. Further, select variable engine displacement modes may be avoided so that engine background noise level changes may be reduced to improve engine knock detection.

Abstract: A diagnosis apparatus of a fuel supply system includes an operation state detector, an air-fuel ratio sensor, a fuel injection amount calculator, a threshold value table, an abnormality information acquiring device, and an abnormality determining device. In the threshold value table, operation ranges of an internal combustion engine are provided based on an engine speed and a throttle opening. In the threshold value table, a lean side threshold value and a rich side threshold value of an air-fuel ratio correction factor to determine abnormality of the fuel supply system are set beforehand for each of the operation ranges. The abnormality information acquiring device is configured to determine whether the air-fuel ratio correction factor has exceeded the lean side threshold value or the rich side threshold value extracted from the threshold value table according to an operation state so as to acquire abnormality information.

Abstract: A method for monitoring crankcase pressure, in which a learning curve is calculated according to a target-actual deviation of the crankcase pressure, the target crankcase pressure is adjusted according to the learning curve, and a limit curve is calculated according to the target crankcase pressure. The actual crankcase pressure is monitored for exceedance of the limit curve. After an engine start, upon identification of a steady-state operation of the internal combustion engine, the actual crankcase pressure is compared with a limit value and, if the limit value is identified as being exceeded, the learning curve and, as a result, the limit curve are reset to their initial values.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method in a vehicle, comprising detecting an engine stop opportunity and recording, in a memory, data corresponding to a first engine stop that occurred in response to detection of the engine stop opportunity. The method further includes detecting an engine stop inhibit, and recording, in a memory, data corresponding to a first missed engine stop wherein the first missed engine stop indicates detection of the engine stop opportunity without an engine stop in response to the detection of the engine stop opportunity.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic control device capable of always achieving a desired injector injection amount by preventing a change in injector opening time regardless of a change (a decrease) of a power supply voltage for opening a valve of an injector. A precharge current amount at the time of precharge control is changed in a stepwise manner based on a voltage of the injector valve open power supply device 10 at the time of the precharge control.

Abstract: A method for determining a corrected air mass flow value in an engine having an air mass meter in its intake. The method includes determining a cold start condition of the engine at a first time when there is no air mass flow in the intake tract, producing a reference signal by the air mass meter at the first time, and determining an air mass flow offset from the reference signal, producing a measurement signal by the air mass meter at a second time, which is not equal to the first time, which is in an operating period of the engine, determining an air mass flow value from the measurement signal, and determining a corrected air mass flow value from the air mass flow offset and the air mass flow value.

Abstract: A method for determination and isolation for abnormal sub-sensors in a multi-core sensor. It can be intelligently determined whether the reason for an abrupt dramatic change in sensor data is a sensor fault or sudden pollution, so as to increase data reliability. A data online rate is increased if a repair can be performed via automatic determination when a device fault occurs, which has significant value for continuous monitoring required for a haze treatment operation. In addition, human and material resources for device maintenance may be saved, thereby reducing waste.

Abstract: A control unit controls a combustion state of an internal combustion engine based on a detection value of a temperature sensor. A monitor unit calculates an estimated torque of actual torque of the internal combustion engine and calculates an engine-requested torque requested for the internal combustion engine and to monitor whether the estimated torque differs from the engine-requested torque by an amount that is more than or equal to a predetermined criterion. A detection abnormality determination unit determines whether a detection value or behavior of the detection value is abnormal. The monitor unit includes: a normal-state torque calculation unit to calculate an estimated torque by using the detection value when the detection abnormality determination unit does not determine an abnormality; and an abnormal-state torque calculation unit to calculate an estimated torque by inhibiting using of the detection value when the detection abnormality determination unit determines an abnormality.

Abstract: A method to detect and mitigate sensor or actuator degradation in an automobile system includes: collecting a signal data output from at least one device which is outputting the signal data in response to monitored operational parameters of a motor vehicle system; analyzing patterns of the signal data compared to a signal data output from a nominal operating one of the at least one device using an artificial intelligence program; and identifying when the patterns of the signal data exceed a threshold level indicating the at least one sensor or actuator is operating in a degraded condition.

Abstract: A vehicle having a control element for the speed, acceleration or direction of the vehicle, two identical or redundant computing devices (e.g., each implemented as a system on chip (SoC)) to separately generate driving commands in parallel during autonomous driving of the vehicle, and a command controller coupled between the control element and the computing devices. In response to the commands from the identical or redundant computing devices, the command controller determines whether the commands are identical (or agree with each other); and if so, the command controller forwards one of the commands to the control element for execution. When there is a mismatch in the commands from the computing devices, the command controller tests the memories of the computing devices to identify a faulty one of the computing devices.

Abstract: A pressure sensorless electronic pressure limiting and flow leveling system for an electric pump comprising a multi-mode control process for transferring fluid through a filter feeding a source consuming the fluid as the filter becomes clogged. The multi-mode control process comprising a closed loop current control mode, a pressure limiting control mode for controlling the speed of the motor as a function of a pre-calibrated profile correlating measured motor speed and voltage parameters to a predetermined value in the pre-calibrated profile utilized to set the speed of the motor driving the pump for pumping pressurized fluid through a clogging filter; and a flow leveling control mode correlating measured motor current to a predetermined value in a pre-calibrated profile utilized to set the speed of the motor driving the pump for pumping pressurized fluid as a function of clogging of the filter.

Abstract: A testing system computer device for dynamically updating a test plan of an apparatus includes at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The testing system computer device is configured to store a plurality of historical data and generate a simulation model of the apparatus based in part on the historical data. The simulation model includes a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs of the apparatus. The testing system computer device is also configured to determine a plurality of tests to perform on the apparatus based on the simulation model and the plurality of historical data. The testing system computer device is further configured to receive a plurality of desirability ratings from a user, rank the plurality of tests to perform based on the plurality of desirability ratings, and present the ranked plurality of tests to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a module configured for removable attachment to a board and attached to an end of a mast, where the mast supports a hydrofoil and a motor to drive the board. The module includes a connector for connecting to a power source, internal control circuitry, and a thermal bridge to thermally connect the control circuitry to the mast. The module comprises a watertight cavity in which the internal control circuitry is contained.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a first control section and a second control section. The first control section includes first nonvolatile memory having a log saving area and, upon occurrence of an error, acquires an error log and saves the error log into the log saving area. The second control section includes second nonvolatile memory for storing second software therein and, upon occurrence of an internal communication error causing an interruption of communications with the first control section, the second control section erases the second software and saves in the second nonvolatile memory a communication error log necessary for analysis of the internal communication error.

Abstract: Methods and systems for diagnosing operation of an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, the EGR system is diagnosed while an engine that includes the EGR system is not rotating and combusting fuel. The EGR system is diagnosed when the engine is not operating so that vehicle passengers are not disturbed by the diagnostic and so that flow estimates through the EGR system may not be disturbed by pressure changes that may be related to combustion within the engine.

Abstract: An injector driver module includes: a first node that is connected to a first terminal of a fuel injector; a first switch configured to, when closed, connect a first potential of a battery to the first node; a second switch configured to, when closed, connect a second potential that is greater than the first potential to the first node; a second node that is connected to a second terminal of the fuel injector; and a third switch configured to, when closed, connect a ground potential to the second node. A switch control module is configured to, starting at a target injecting timing for a fuel injection event of the fuel injector: maintain the third switch closed; and switch the second switch using a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal having (i) a duty cycle that is less than 100 percent and (ii) a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: A vehicle test system includes a vehicle including at least one electronic device and a gateway configured to determine whether the electronic device is testable, a test device configured to test the electronic device, in which the electronic device includes a controller for controlling an operation of the electronic device, and the gateway is configured to determine whether or not the electronic device is testable in a different manner depending on whether the electronic device includes a separate communication device and transmits a determined result to the test device.

Abstract: A method to detect and mitigate sensor degradation in an automobile system includes: collecting output signal data from at least one of a sensor and an actuator which is outputting the signal data related to operational parameters of a vehicle system; placing the sensor or the actuator in communication with a fault box used to purposely corrupt the output signal data; analyzing patterns of the output signal data compared to signal data from a nominal operating sensor or actuator using an artificial intelligence program; identifying when a statistical range of the patterns exceeds a first threshold level; and modifying a control signal to change the operational parameters of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A software component assigning system for a vehicle includes electronic control units connected to a common network in the vehicle, one of the electronic control units being an integrated control electronic control unit which is configured to: acquire a first rank value of each of the electronic control units, the first rank value becoming higher as a probability of occurrence of a malfunction is higher; acquire a second rank value of an additional software component that is additionally arranged in any one of the electronic control units, the second rank value becoming higher as a level of importance; and decide an electronic control unit to arrange the additional software component from among the electronic control units such that the additional software component is arranged in the electronic control unit of which the first rank value is lower as the second rank value of the additional software component is higher.

Abstract: A relay device is provided. The relay device includes: an acquisition unit acquiring data necessary for an upgrade processing from an upgrading tool, which performs the upgrading processing to an ECU connected to a vehicle-mounted network; a relay unit providing the data, via the vehicle-mounted network, to a target ECU which is subject to the upgrade processing; a suspend instructing unit transmitting, via the vehicle-mounted network, a suspend command which instructs the non-target ECU to shift to a suspend state in which a transmission of other data to the non-target ECU via the vehicle-mounted network is suspended in response to a start of the upgrade processing; and a cancel instructing unit instructing, via the vehicle-mounted network, the non-target ECU to cancel the suspend state when the upgrade processing is completed.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio sensing device includes a resistor, an A/D converter, a parallel circuit unit, a second switch, a controlling unit, an air-fuel ratio sensing unit, and a deterioration sensing unit. The controlling unit controls to turn off the first switch and controls to turn on the second switch in a first interval, and the controlling unit controls to turn on the first switch and controls to turn off the second switch in a second interval. The air-fuel ratio sensing unit senses an air-fuel ratio based on a converting result of the A/D converter in the first interval. The deterioration sensing unit compares a reference value with a value obtained based on the converting result and senses a deterioration generated in the current sensing circuit unit in the second interval.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for indicating a presence or absence of a source of degradation stemming from one of an intake manifold, exhaust system, or engine of an engine system. In one example, a method comprises rotating the engine unfueled and indicating the source of degradation based on both an intake air flow and an exhaust flow, as compared to baseline intake air flow and baseline exhaust flow. In this way, a source of degradation may be pinpointed, which may increase a lifetime of a vehicle engine system, reduce undesired emissions, and which may increase customer satisfaction resulting from shorter time spent on diagnosing such a source of degradation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control method for controlling a fuel injection system (10) of an internal combustion engine, wherein, wherein, in a fault situation of the fuel injection system (10), a camshaft angle of a camshaft (34) which drives a pump piston (32) of a high-pressure fuel pump (14) of the fuel injection system (10) is adjusted such that an injection time (tI) of injector valve (42) which injects the fuel from the fuel injection system (10) into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine lies in a pressure trough (50) of a pressure oscillation in a high-pressure region (16).

Abstract: A high-pressure pump control device is applied to an internal combustion engine including a high-pressure pump supplied with fuel discharged from a low-pressure pump and an injector supplied with fuel discharged from the high-pressure pump. The high-pressure pump control device includes a prediction unit predicting whether a discharge quantity of the high-pressure pump exceeds a discharge quantity of the low-pressure pump and a restricting unit executing a discharge quantity restriction control to restrict a discharge quantity of the high-pressure pump not to exceed a predetermined value when the prediction unit predicts that a discharge quantity of the high-pressure pump exceeds a discharge quantity of the low-pressure pump.

Abstract: An SDR system and method that intentionally illuminates aircraft systems with RF energy having specific characteristics (e.g., frequency, power, waveform, directionality, duration, etc.) are provided. The aircraft systems act as non-linear mixers and emit non-linear RF energy. A receiver receives the RF energy response and generates an RF energy representation that is correlated to a database of baseline responses. A correlation response between the received RF energy representation and any one of the baseline responses from the database provides an indication of the aircraft system status.

Abstract: An electronic device may have control circuitry and input-output components. The input-output components may include audio components, sensors, and other devices. A proximity sensor may supply the control circuitry with proximity sensor data. The control circuitry may adjust the audio components or take other suitable action in response to proximity sensor readings from the proximity sensor. The proximity sensor may have a light source such as an infrared laser diode and a light detector that measures a reflected portion of infrared light pulses emitted by the infrared laser diode. The control circuitry may include circuitry for safely producing pulses of emitted light with the light source. This circuitry may include a signal generator that produces ramped pulses, a differentiator that differentiates the ramped pulses to produce differentiated pulses, and an output driver that produces current pulses for the light source based on the differentiated pulses.

Abstract: A failure determination system for a vehicle speed detection device, which, in a case where only one vehicle speed detection device is used, can always accurately perform failure determination of the device, and ensure a high marketability, while avoiding increases in manufacturing costs and product prices of the system. An ECU calculates an engine speed, calculates a detected vehicle speed based on a detection signal from a vehicle speed sensor, calculates an estimated total transmission gear ratio indicative of correlation between the detected vehicle speed and the engine speed, stores the estimated total transmission gear ratio, calculates a reference vehicle speed using a value of the estimated total transmission gear ratio, calculated predetermined times earlier, and the engine speed, and determines a failure of the sensor using a for-use-in-monitoring vehicle speed error which indicates an error between the reference vehicle speed and the detected vehicle speed.

Abstract: A deterioration determination unit determines whether a catalyst in an exhaust passage of an engine is deteriorated; a first determination unit determines whether there is an air-fuel ratio variation among cylinders of the engine on the basis of distortion in waveform of the air-fuel ratio on the upstream side of the catalyst; and a second determination unit determines whether there is an air-fuel ratio variation among the cylinders on the basis that the air-fuel ratio on the downstream side of the catalyst remains on the lean side. A determination mode switching unit makes the first determination unit execute a determination process concurrently with determination by the deterioration determination unit, and it is determined by the determination process that there is an air-fuel ratio variation among the cylinders, makes the second determination unit execute a determination process in priority to determination of deterioration of the catalyst.

Abstract: A vehicular system includes a master ECU, a first slave ECU, and a second slave ECU. The second slave ECU transmits a storing request to the master ECU on detection of a malfunction. The master ECU transmits a storing instruction for causing diagnostic information to be stored, on reception of the storing request. The first slave ECU generates diagnostic information on the first slave ECU, on reception of the storing instruction from the master ECU. The first slave ECU further stores the generated diagnostic information in a retention storage medium. The retention storage medium is configured to retain validity determination information in a condition where the first slave ECU is not supplied with electric power source.

Abstract: An estimation unit calculates an estimated value of oxygen concentration in an exhaust passage on the basis of a target injection amount of a fuel injection valve and an air intake amount of an engine. A first determination unit determines the relationship of a detected value to the estimated value of the oxygen concentration, in both a fuel-injecting state and a non-fuel-injecting state. For each of a plurality of cylinders, a second determination unit acquires crankshaft angular acceleration during the expansion strokes of the cylinders in the fuel-injecting state, and determines the relationship of each angular acceleration to the average value of all of the angular accelerations. An abnormality determination unit determines whether or not there is an abnormality in an engine system on the basis of the determination results of the first and second determination units.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining air-fuel error in an engine fueled via direct and port fuel injection. Errors associated with individual fuel injection systems are distinguished from a common error based on trends in the error correction coefficients of the individual fuel injection systems. Adaptive fuel multipliers for each injection system are updated to account for the common error.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining air-fuel error in an engine fueled via direct and port fuel injection. Errors associated with individual fuel injection systems are distinguished from a common error based on trends in the error correction coefficients of the individual fuel injection systems. Adaptive fuel multipliers for each injection system are updated to account for the common error.

Abstract: A controller for an internal combustion engine including a fuel pressure control processor that controls a fuel pressure at a target fuel pressure, an instruction value calculating processor that calculates a peak instruction value, an upper limit guard processor that executes a guard process on the peak instruction value, an energizing processor that energizes the coil based on the peak instruction value that has undergone the guard process, a convergence determination processor that determines whether or not the detected fuel pressure has converged on the target fuel pressure, and a decreasing processor that decreases the upper limit guard value to a lower value when the fuel pressure has converged on the target fuel pressure than when the fuel pressure has not converged on the target fuel pressure.

Abstract: A transmission device for transmitting a sensor signal relating to a physical variable, including: an input interface for inputting the sensor signal; a signal generator for generating a comparison signal; a data processing unit to combine the sensor signal and the comparison signal to form a modified sensor signal; and an output interface which can be coupled to a signal path to output the modified sensor signal, in which the comparison signal changes over time in a predetermined manner over a range of values, so as to permit a receiver to detect an erroneous sensor signal or an erroneous transmission using the transmitted comparison signal. Also described are a related receiver, a related system, a related vehicle, a related method, and a related computer program.

Abstract: An engine control module includes at least one high side driver connected to at least one intake camshaft actuator and at least one exhaust camshaft actuator. A plurality of low side drivers is connected to the at least one intake camshaft actuator and the at least one exhaust camshaft actuator. A sliding camshaft control module selectively actuates the at least one high side driver and the plurality of low side drivers based on a status associated with the at least one intake camshaft actuator and/or the at least one exhaust camshaft actuator.

Abstract: Water-temperature sensors for detection of temperature of cooling water 12 having passed through an engine 1 are increased in number into two (18 and 19). A controller 20 is provided to confirm that each of detection values of the water-temperature sensors 18 and 19 is within a normal range and then employ either of the detection values as temperature of the cooling water 12. The controller 20 is configured such that, when either of the detection values of the water-temperature sensors 18 and 19 is out of the normal range, the remaining detection value within the normal range is employed as temperature of the cooling water 12.

Abstract: An analyzer and diagnostic system can include one or more sensors that are operable to generate combustion condition data relating to the performance of an associated combustion system. An analysis module can be operable to analyze at least a portion of the combustion condition data and determine a state of the associated combustion system. A diagnostic module can be operable to identify one or more recommended corrective actions for a combustion system performance deviation from a plurality of recommended corrective actions using one or more logic algorithms. Handheld instruments and methods of analyzing and diagnosing combustion processes are also included.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the fuel temperature in the high-pressure zone of a fuel injection system of a motor vehicle. The fuel injection system has at least one injector operated by a servo valve which is actuated by means of a piezo actuator. After an injection process has been carried out, the piezo actuator is discharged after the injection has ended in such a way that the servo valve can close, but a non-positive connection remains between the piezo actuator and the servo valve. This condition of reduced charge is maintained. The pressure oscillation of the actuator voltage resulting from this is recorded and from this the hydraulic natural frequency of the enclosed high-pressure volume of fuel is deduced. The prevailing fuel temperature can be determined from the natural frequency.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for managing fault codes triggered by one or more vehicles during operation. In general, various embodiments of the invention involve recording and analyzing fault codes triggered during a particular time period while a vehicle is in operation. As a result of the analysis, various embodiments of the invention may set a state for each of the identified fault codes, the state indicating a level of action to address the identified fault code. In particular embodiments, the states may be one of a caution state indicating one or more components or sub-systems of the vehicle should be monitored, a critical state indicating one or more components or sub-systems of the vehicle should be repaired, or an environmental state indicating failure or potential failure of one or more components or sub-systems of the vehicle may affect one or more environmental conditions.

Abstract: In a method for adapting at least one injector of an injection system, in particular of a common-rail injection system of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, where injections take place based on a characteristics map with at least two input variables and at least one output variable, a transition is carried out into a learning mode in which only discrete values are permitted for one of the at least two input variables of the characteristics map.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting pump defects in a pumping system comprising multiple pumps. Each pump includes a pump fluid outlet fluidly connected with the pump fluid outlet of the other pumps. Pump defects are detected by generating information related to fluid pressure fluctuations at each pump fluid outlet and determining harmonic frequencies from the information related to fluid pressure fluctuations for each of the plurality of pumps. The amplitude of the harmonic frequencies is indicative of a defective one of the plurality of pumps.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for evacuating fuel from a closed-loop fuel rail after engine testing. The method includes coupling a coaxial hose to a closed-loop fuel rail of an engine. The coaxial hose defines an outer tube section defining an outer passage and surrounding an inner tube section defining an inner passage, and a portion of the inner tube section is inserted a predetermined distance into the fuel rail. The method includes transferring fuel from a fuel supply through the outer passage of the coaxial hose and into the fuel rail for use during an engine testing procedure. After the engine testing procedure is complete, the method includes injecting compressed gas through the inner passage and into the fuel rail, creating a positive pressure. Residual fuel is evacuated from the fuel rail out through the outer passage of the coaxial hose.

Abstract: Gradient coils are operated to acquire magnetic resonance (MR) signals encoding a first MRI image over a first region inside a main magnet of the MRI system in which at least a portion of a subject is placed, the first region being located within a volume of uniform magnetic field with inhomogeneity below a defined threshold. An active coil is energized to shift the volume of uniform magnetic field such that a second region inside the main magnet of the MRI system is located within the shifted volume of uniform magnetic field, at least a portion of the second region being located outside of the volume of uniform magnetic field before the volume of uniform magnetic field has been shifted. The gradient coil is operated to acquire MR signals encoding a second MRI image over the second region.

Abstract: An engine control device includes: a pre-ignition determination module that determines whether an operation state of an engine indicated by a rotation speed detected by a rotation speed detection unit and a load calculated by a load calculating module is in a pre-ignition occurring region; a catalyst protection determination module that determines whether the operation state of the engine is in a catalyst protection region; and a fuel cut execution control module that stops a fuel supplied to the engine, when a remaining amount of a fuel tank is determined to be smaller than a tank threshold value and the operation state is determined to be in the pre-ignition occurring region, and when the remaining amount of the fuel tank is determined to be smaller than the tank threshold value and the operation state is determined to be in the catalyst protection region.

Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, wherein a first engine control device generates a control signal to actuate a function of the engine. A switchover device transmits the control signal of the first control device to the engine to actuate the function of the engine. The first control device transmits a sign-of-life signal which indicates functionality of the control device to the switchover device. The first engine control device does not transmit the sign-of-life signal or transmits the signal incorrectly if a fault occurs which endangers proper actuation of the function of the engine by the first engine control device. If the sign-of-life signal of the first engine control device is not or is incorrectly received by the switchover device, the switchover device stops transmitting the control signals of the first engine control device and starts transmitting a control signal generated by a second engine control device to the engine to actuate the function of the engine.