Abstract: According to the present invention, a computing unit abnormality determining apparatus is disclosed which determines whether there is an abnormality in a computing unit, comprising a comparison operation abnormality determining part configured to perform a comparison operation using the computing unit to determine whether there is an abnormality in the comparison operation; and an arithmetic/logical operation abnormality determining part configured to perform an arithmetic/logical operation of a predetermined operational expression using the computing unit, the predetermined operational expression including at least one of an arithmetic operation and a logical operation, and compare an operational result obtained by the arithmetic/logical operation with a corresponding stored value of a correct value to determine whether there is an abnormality in the arithmetic/logical operation.

Abstract: A charge pump-type DC/DC converter is provided that steadily operates even when boosting reference voltage is low. A PMOS transistor for short-circuiting an output terminal of a charge pump of an initial stage with a booster reference voltage is provided to eliminate the influence of a parasitic diode of a PMOS transistor within the charge pump of the initial stage during build-up. The PMOS transistor is controlled by the voltage of another charge pump and the short-circuit described above is released by the increase of the output voltage of the other charge pump.

Abstract: A variable valve timing mechanism 9 includes an electric motor 10 coupled to an intake camshaft 7. A plurality of rotation sensors 18 to 20 are located about the rotor 17 of the electric motor 10. Each of the sensors 18 to 20 outputs a signal corresponding to induced voltage generated by rotation of the rotor 17. Based on the signals form the rotation sensors 18 to 20, reverse rotation of an engine is detected. A counter C is decremented every time a crank signal is output after the occurrence of reverse rotation is detected. Further, a subtraction value Y is computed that corresponds to a discrepancy between the counter C and the actual crank angle caused by a discrepancy between the actual point in time of the occurrence of reverse rotation and the point in time of the detection of the reverse rotation. The counter C is reduced by the subtraction value Y.

Abstract: A variable valve timing mechanism 9 includes an electric motor 10 coupled to an intake camshaft 7. A plurality of rotation sensors 18 to 20 are located about the rotor 17 of the electric motor 10. Each of the sensors 18 to 20 outputs a signal corresponding to induced voltage generated by rotation of the rotor 17. Based on the signals form the rotation sensors 18 to 20, reverse rotation of an engine is detected. A counter C is decremented every time a crank signal is output after the occurrence of reverse rotation is detected. Further, a subtraction value Y is computed that corresponds to a discrepancy between the counter C and the actual crank angle caused by a discrepancy between the actual point in time of the occurrence of reverse rotation and the point in time of the detection of the reverse rotation. The counter C is reduced by the subtraction value Y.

Abstract: Reducing power consumption of a semiconductor memory device having a serial interface is disclosed. After parallel read-out data from a memory-cell matrix 14 are held in a data latch 17, the parallel read-out data are selected sequentially by a serial output selector 18 according to timing signals SL0-SL15 from a controller 20 and are outputted serially from an output buffer 19 as an output data DO. In an activating control unit 23, outputting an operation control signal AC to a gate-voltage generating unit 21, a drain-voltage generating unit 22, and a sense amplifier 16 is being halted during from when a timing signal SL0 is finished to when a timing SL10 is finished. Consequently, during the above mentioned period, the unnecessary operations of the gate-voltage generating unit 21, the drain-voltage generating unit 22, and the sense amplifier 16 are being halted and then the power consumption thereof can be reduced.

Abstract: A charge pump-type DC/DC converter is provided that steadily operates even when boosting reference voltage is low. A PMOS transistor for short-circuiting an output terminal of a charge pump of an initial stage with a booster reference voltage is provided to eliminate the influence of a parasitic diode of a PMOS transistor within the charge pump of the initial stage during build-up. The PMOS transistor is controlled by the voltage of another charge pump and the short-circuit described above is released by the increase of the output voltage of the other charge pump.

Abstract: Reducing power consumption of a semiconductor memory device having a serial interface is disclosed. After parallel read-out data from a memory-cell matrix 14 are held in a data latch 17, the parallel read-out data are selected sequentially by a serial output selector 18 according to timing signals SL0-SL15 from a controller 20 and are outputted serially from an output buffer 19 as an output data DO. In an activating control unit 23, outputting an operation control signal AC to a gate-voltage generating unit 21, a drain-voltage generating unit 22, and a sense amplifier 16 is being halted during from when a timing signal SL0 is finished to when a timing SL10 is finished. Consequently, during the above mentioned period, the unnecessary operations of the gate-voltage generating unit 21, the drain-voltage generating unit 22, and the sense amplifier 16 are being halted and then the power consumption thereof can be reduced.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft, a camshaft for actuating an intake valve of the engine, a crank position sensor that outputs a crank signal every time the crankshaft rotates 10° of crank angle, an electric motor that is coupled to the camshaft, and an engine control computer that, based on the crank signal, controls the engine every time the crankshaft rotates 30° of crank angle. The motor includes a rotor and three rotation sensors. Each sensor outputs a signal corresponding to induced voltage generated by rotation of the rotor. The computer controls the rotating motor based on the signals from the rotation sensors. When the crank position sensor malfunctions, the computer controls the engine every time the crankshaft rotates 30° of crank angle based not on the crank signal but on a rotation pulse train generated based on the signals from the rotation sensors.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft, a camshaft for actuating a valve of the engine, and a rotating electrical machine that is coupled to one of the crankshaft and the camshaft. The apparatus includes a computer that controls the rotating electrical machine. The rotating electrical machine includes a rotor and a plurality of rotation sensors, each of which outputs a signal corresponding to induced voltage generated by rotation of the rotor. The computer controls the rotating electrical machine based on the signals from the rotation sensors, and detects the occurrence of reverse rotation in the engine when an output pattern of the signals from the rotation sensors is different from an output pattern during forward rotation of the engine. As a result, the apparatus promptly detects the occurrence of reverse rotation of the internal combustion engine without providing additional sensors or rotors.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft, a camshaft for actuating a valve of the engine, and a rotating electrical machine that is coupled to one of the crankshaft and the camshaft. The apparatus includes a computer that controls the rotating electrical machine. The rotating electrical machine includes a rotor and a plurality of rotation sensors, each of which outputs a signal corresponding to induced voltage generated by rotation of the rotor. The computer controls the rotating electrical machine based on the signals from the rotation sensors, and detects the occurrence of reverse rotation in the engine when an output pattern of the signals from the rotation sensors is different from an output pattern during forward rotation of the engine. As a result, the apparatus promptly detects the occurrence of reverse rotation of the internal combustion engine without providing additional sensors or rotors.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft, a camshaft for actuating an intake valve of the engine, a crank position sensor that outputs a crank signal every time the crankshaft rotates 10° of crank angle, an electric motor that is coupled to the camshaft, and an engine control computer that, based on the crank signal, controls the engine every time the crankshaft rotates 30° of crank angle. The motor includes a rotor and three rotation sensors. Each sensor outputs a signal corresponding to induced voltage generated by rotation of the rotor. The computer controls the rotating motor based on the signals from the rotation sensors. When the crank position sensor malfunctions, the computer controls the engine every time the crankshaft rotates 30° of crank angle based not on the crank signal but on a rotation pulse train generated based on the signals from the rotation sensors.