Abstract: The tank venting system is evacuated by the negative pressure prevailing in the intake pipe of the internal combustion engine. A regression calculation, based on a physical model which simulates the pressure variation in the event of a leak in the tank venting system, on the basis of a gas mass flow flowing through an opening, supplies a parameter which describes the curve variation of the pressure during the test for gassing out fuel and during the diagnosis. The parameter contains the information about the leak area and takes into account external influences that interfere with the signal evaluation.

Abstract: A method for detecting combustion misfires in an internal combustion engine is based on the speed of rotation of the crankshaft. An unsteady running value is derived from measured cylinder segment times and subsequent correction of mechanical teeth defects. A disturbance caused by torsional oscillations of the crankshaft is taken into account by a cylinder-selective disturbance variable compensation dependent on load and speed of rotation.

Abstract: An adaptation method for correcting tolerances of a transducer wheel includes determining a correction factor for each individual tooth or each segment of the transducer wheel by measuring angular speed while taking into account both production tolerances and variations from one manufactured part to another of its kind as well as noncentral support of the transducer wheel on the shaft. The correction factor also compensates for a mass moment caused by a piston and a connecting rod. In an adaptation algorithm, a periodic disturbance by a gas moment caused by varying cylinder pressures and a moment fed back from the road are taken into account.

Abstract: To prevent change of data in a non-volatile programmable, ready-only memory (25) forming, together with a microprocessor (23) a control unit, for example for an automotive vehicle, while permitting programming of the memory from an external programming unit (P, 1), an interface (3, 11, 12) is provided through which a release-enable bus (13) also passes, data being transmitted in accordance with a predetermined characteristic--even or odd parity--, the parity correctness being checked. If the parity is correct, an "enter" signal is provided on the release-enable bus for storing the data; if not, retransmission is attempted for a predetermined number of time, and if it cannot be correctly effected, a malfunction indication output signal is generated.