Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: when an aging completion flag is ON, determining that a predetermine value serves as an abnormality determination threshold value; when the aging completion flag is OFF, determining the abnormality determination threshold value depending on to what extent aging has progressed; and determining whether or not an air/fuel ratio sensor is abnormal using the determined threshold value.

Abstract: When an engine is being cranked, a maximum slope value is set on the basis of a slope value of an output voltage of an air-fuel ratio sensor, a normalized maximum slope value is set by normalizing the set maximum slope value, and a learned value of a responsiveness of the air-fuel ratio sensor is calculated using the set normalized maximum slope value.

Abstract: The invention relates to improving optical properties of optical instruments with variable magnification, such as zoom binoculars, reducing the weight thereof, and enabling the user to change magnifications quickly. The invention provides an optical instrument with a focal length-varying lens 4 disposed on the optical axis between an objective lens 7 and an eyepiece 3, further having an adjusting lens 5 for adjusting optical properties when the focal length-varying lens is in an area to provide high magnification. The adjusting lens is supported so that it is capable of moving between a location on the optical axis and a location off the path of light beams. Interlocked with a magnification-varying mechanism that controls the position of the focal length-varying lens, the adjusting lens is moved to the on-the-axis location when the focal length-varying lens is in an area to provide high magnification, and to the off-the-axis location when low magnification.

Abstract: The invention relates to improving optical properties of optical instruments with variable magnification, such as zoom binoculars, reducing the weight thereof, and enabling the user to change magnifications quickly. The invention provides an optical instrument with a focal length-varying lens 4 disposed on the optical axis between an objective lens 7 and an eyepiece 3, further having an adjusting lens 5 for adjusting optical properties when the focal length-varying lens is in an area to provide high magnification. The adjusting lens is supported so that it is capable of moving between a location on the optical axis and a location off the path of light beams. Interlocked with a magnification-varying mechanism that controls the position of the focal length-varying lens, the adjusting lens is moved to the on-the-axis location when the focal length-varying lens is in an area to provide high magnification, and to the off-the-axis location when low magnification.

Abstract: An engine ECU carries out control of an intermittent operation of an engine mounted on a hybrid vehicle. The engine is provided with an EGR apparatus controlling a flow rate of an EGR gas by means of an EGR valve from downstream of a three-way catalytic converter through an EGR pipe. When an engine stop request is issued, the engine ECU allows the engine to operate at idle and stops actuation of EGR by outputting a control signal (valve-closing signal) to the EGR valve. Then, the engine ECU estimates a remaining amount of the EGR gas within an intake pipe based on an amount of intake air detected by an airflow meter or the like, and when the estimated remaining amount of the EGR gas is equal to or smaller than a prescribed value, the engine ECU performs engine stop processing.

Abstract: A focusing mechanism allowing a user to adjust the focus from infinity to a close distance rapidly and precisely, and an optical device utilizing such a focusing mechanism. The focusing unit includes an optical member movable along an optical axis of an optical system, a screw body put into rotation via the rotation of an operation member, a nut body meshing with the screw body and including a cam follower, a cam follower restricting means including a rotation restricting portion for restricting the cam follower from rotating or revolving about a rotation or revolution axis of the operation member, and a rotation restriction releasing portion for releasing the restriction which prevents the rotation or revolution of the cam follower about the rotation or revolution axis of the operation member, and an optical member moving means for moving the optical member along the optical axis via the movement of the nut body along its rotation axis.

Abstract: A focusing mechanism allowing a user to adjust the focus from infinity to a close distance rapidly and precisely, and an optical device utilizing such a focusing mechanism. The focusing unit includes an optical member movable along an optical axis of an optical system, a screw body put into rotation via the rotation of an operation member, a nut body meshing with the screw body and including a cam follower, a cam follower restricting means including a rotation restricting portion for restricting the cam follower from rotating or revolving about a rotation or revolution axis of the operation member, and a rotation restriction releasing portion for releasing the restriction which prevents the rotation or revolution of the cam follower about the rotation or revolution axis of the operation member, and an optical member moving means for moving the optical member along the optical axis via the movement of the nut body along its rotation axis.