Abstract: An internal combustion engine 1 at a standstill of a vehicle after cold starting can switch its combustion mode to a homogenous combustion mode or a stratified combustion mode. An operation range of the stratified combustion at the standstill of the vehicle after cold starting is expanded relative to an operation range of the homogenous combustion at the standstill of the vehicle after cold starting as an inclination of the vehicle decreases. With this technique, the operation range of the stratified combustion can be expanded while assuring an intake air negative pressure required for achieving the brake performance, so that HC reduction at the standstill of the vehicle after cold starting is obtained.

Abstract: A method of providing a video content formed of a plurality of successive video frames is disclosed. The method includes: extracting a visual feature from an image of each of subject frames which are all or some of the plurality of video frames; and selecting one of a plurality of candidate overlay insertion regions which are pre-assigned on each of the subject frames at different positions for allowing an additional content as a content overlay to be overlaid on the subject frames for display, as a final overlay insertion region, based on distances of the plurality of candidate overlay insertion regions from the extracted feature.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine 1 at a standstill of a vehicle after cold starting can switch its combustion mode to a homogenous combustion mode or a stratified combustion mode. An operation range of the stratified combustion at the standstill of the vehicle after cold starting is expanded relative to an operation range of the homogenous combustion at the standstill of the vehicle after cold starting as an inclination of the vehicle decreases. With this technique, the operation range of the stratified combustion can be expanded while assuring an intake air negative pressure required for achieving the brake performance, so that HC reduction at the standstill of the vehicle after cold starting is obtained.

Abstract: A fuel supply device includes a low-pressure fuel pump, a high-pressure fuel pump, an accumulator for accumulating the pressurized fuel, fuel injection valves, a relief valve for restricting an upper limit value of a fuel pressure in the accumulator, a high-pressure fuel pressure sensor, and a control unit for setting a target fuel injection pressure, controlling the high-pressure fuel pump so that the fuel pressure in the accumulator reaches the target fuel injection pressure, and regarding the present target fuel injection pressure as a detection value of the high-pressure fuel pressure sensor and setting the high-pressure fuel pump in an operational state with a maximum discharge amount or a non-operational state when detecting an abnormality of the high-pressure fuel pressure sensor. This enables the fuel to be injected with an appropriate injection pulse width corresponding to an actual fuel pressure even if the high-pressure fuel pressure sensor experiences disconnection.

Abstract: A method of providing a video content formed of a plurality of successive video frames is disclosed. The method includes: extracting a visual feature from an image of each of subject frames which are all or some of the plurality of video frames; and selecting one of a plurality of candidate overlay insertion regions which are pre-assigned on each of the subject frames at different positions for allowing an additional content as a content overlay to be overlaid on the subject frames for display, as a final overlay insertion region, based on distances of the plurality of candidate overlay insertion regions from the extracted feature.

Abstract: In a state in which a fingerprint authentication mode is set, a fingerprint authentication unit authenticates a fingerprint input in accordance with an input instruction, performs unlocking if the authentication is successful, instructs another fingerprint input if the authentication fails, and determines unauthorized use and switches the mode to a PIN code authentication mode if the fingerprint authentication sequentially fails for a predetermined number of times. In a state of the PIN code authentication mode, a PIN code authentication unit authenticates a PIN code input in accordance with an input instruction, performs unlocking if the authentication is successful, instructs another PIN code input if the authentication fails, and determines unauthorized use and turns off the power source if the authentication sequentially fails for a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: Super retard combustion is performed in which an ignition timing is set to be after a compression top dead center and fuel is injected before the ignition timing and after the compression top dead center, at cold start or the like which requires early warming-up of a catalyst. During an idle operation without the super retard combustion, a first ISC control is executed in which a feedback control is provided for the degree of opening of a throttle and the ignition timing so that an engine speed corresponds to a target idle speed (S14). On the other hand, during the super retard combustion, a second ISC control is executed in which the control of the degree of opening of the throttle is inhibited, but the ignition timing is advanced because a catalyst may be thermally damaged when the amount of intake air is increased in accordance with an increase in load of an auxiliary device and the like (S15).

Abstract: Excellent fuel consumption and drivability are achieved by properly controlling the lockup-canceling timing in a vehicle with an automatic transmission equipped with a torque converter having lockup features. Conventionally, the lockup got cancelled when it was determined that the vehicle speed was lower than a first lockup-canceling vehicle speed used when the accelerator was OFF at the same time the brakes were OFF. Herein, however a delay timer is activated after the accelerator is released (OFF) to set a second lockup-canceling vehicle speed, which is slower than the first lockup-canceling vehicle speed and which is used when the brake is activated (ON). As a result, the lockup will not be cancelled until the vehicle speed reaches the second vehicle speed, and the lockup period can be ensured for a longer period of time.

Abstract: Super retard combustion is performed in which an ignition timing is set to be after a compression top dead center and fuel is injected before the ignition timing and after the compression top dead center, at cold start or the like which requires early warming-up of a catalyst. During an idle operation without the super retard combustion, a first ISC control is executed in which a feedback control is provided for the degree of opening of a throttle and the ignition timing so that an engine speed corresponds to a target idle speed (S14). On the other hand, during the super retard combustion, a second ISC control is executed in which the control of the degree of opening of the throttle is inhibited, but the ignition timing is advanced because a catalyst may be thermally damaged when the amount of intake air is increased in accordance with an increase in load of an auxiliary device and the like (S15).

Abstract: In a lockup control apparatus and method for a vehicular torque converter, the torque converter is controlled to be under a steady-state lockup state by a lockup clutch during a steady-state traveling state, and the torque converter is controlled to be under a coast lockup state during a coasting state where an accelerator opening angle is completely closed, and a lockup state is released when an engine speed becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined lockup release rotational speed. Moreover, an actual lockup release time between a time point when a lockup release command for releasing the lockup state is outputted and a time point when the lockup clutch becomes completely released is calculated, and the lockup release rotational speed is set on the basis of the calculated actual lockup release time.

Abstract: Excellent fuel consumption and drivability are achieved by properly controlling the lockup-canceling timing in a vehicle with an automatic transmission equipped with a torque converter having lockup features. In conventional technology, the lockup got cancelled when it was determined that the vehicle speed was lower than lockup-canceling vehicle speed B used when the accelerator was OFF at the same time the brakes were OFF. In the present invention (embodiment), however, delay timer A is activated after the accelerator is released (OFF) to set lockup-canceling vehicle speed A, which is slower than lockup-canceling vehicle speed B and which is used when the brake is activated (ON), so that the lockup will not be cancelled until the vehicle speed reaches vehicle speed A and the lockup period can be ensured for a longer period of time.

Abstract: In a state in which a fingerprint authentication mode is set, a fingerprint authentication unit authenticates a fingerprint input in accordance with an input instruction, performs unlocking if the authentication is successful, instructs another fingerprint input if the authentication fails, and determines unauthorized use and switches the mode to a PIN code authentication mode if the fingerprint authentication sequentially fails for a predetermined number of times. In a state of the PIN code authentication mode, a PIN code authentication unit authenticates a PIN code input in accordance with an input instruction, performs unlocking if the authentication is successful, instructs another PIN code input if the authentication fails, and determines unauthorized use and turns off the power source if the authentication sequentially fails for a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: System and method for controlling idle speed for a vehicle including an internal combustion engine coupled to an automatic transmission which has a torque converter. The system includes a sensor operative to detect a parameter based on a torque converter speed ratio and generate a signal indicative of the parameter detected, and a controller programmed to determine basic idle speed, determine a target idle speed by correcting the basic idle speed based on the signal when the automatic transmission is in a drive range in engine idling condition. The method includes determining basic idle speed when the automatic transmission is in a drive range in engine idling condition, detecting a parameter based on a torque converter speed ratio, and determining a target idle speed by correcting the basic idle speed based on the parameter.

Abstract: An engine deceleration control system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is arranged to prohibit correcting an air quantity supplied to the engine when an elapsed time period from a moment of turning off of an accelerator of the engine is within a first predetermined time period, or when an elapsed time period from a moment of turning off of a lockup clutch of a torque converter is within a second predetermined time period or when a shifting of a transmission connected to the engine is being executed, and to cancel prohibiting the correction of the supplied air quantity when a braking operation is executed.

Abstract: In a lockup control apparatus and method for a vehicular torque converter, the torque converter is controlled to be under a steady-state lockup state by a lockup clutch during a steady-state traveling state, and the torque converter is controlled to be under a coast lockup state during a coasting state where an accelerator opening angle is completely closed, and a lockup state is released when an engine speed becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined lockup release rotational speed. Moreover, an actual lockup release time between a time point when a lockup release command for releasing the lockup state is outputted and a time point when the lockup clutch becomes completely released is calculated, and the lockup release rotational speed is set on the basis of the calculated actual lockup release time.

Abstract: A stream of pulses related to rotation rate drives an interrupt to store first timer values of a first timer and to set a second timer to run from zero. At predetermined fixed time intervals, second timer values of the second timer are stored. The stored first timer values are sampled to determine a first rate related to the input stream. The stored second timer values are sampled to determine a second rate. The first and second rates are selectively used as a final rotation rate related to the input stream.

Abstract: System and method for controlling idle speed for a vehicle including an internal combustion engine coupled to an automatic transmission which has a torque converter. The system includes a sensor operative to detect a parameter based on a torque converter speed ratio and generate a signal indicative of the parameter detected, and a controller programmed to determine basic idle speed, determine a target idle speed by correcting the basic idle speed based on the signal when the automatic transmission is in a drive range in engine idling condition. The method includes determining basic idle speed when the automatic transmission is in a drive range in engine idling condition, detecting a parameter based on a torque converter speed ratio, and determining a target idle speed by correcting the basic idle speed based on the parameter.

Abstract: An engine deceleration control system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is arranged to prohibit correcting an air quantity supplied to the engine when an elapsed time period from a moment of turning off of an accelerator of the engine is within a first predetermined time period, or when an elapsed time period from a moment of turning off of a lockup clutch of a torque converter is within a second predetermined time period or when a shifting of a transmission connected to the engine is being executed, and to cancel prohibiting the correction of the supplied air quantity when a braking operation is executed.

Abstract: A stream of pulses related to rotation rate drives an interrupt to store first timer values of a first timer and to set a second timer to run from zero. At predetermined fixed time intervals, second timer values of the second timer are stored. The stored first timer values are sampled to determine a first rate related to the input stream. The stored second timer values are sampled to determine a second rate. The first and second rates are selectively used as a final rotation rate related to the input stream.

Abstract: A disclosed control apparatus and method is applied to an internal combustion engine that is capable of switching between a stratified combustion and a homogeneous combustion, and which also has an EGR device prevented from performing EGR immediately after switching from the stratified combustion to the homogeneous combustion. In the disclosure, the transient condition in switching from the stratified combustion to the homogeneous combustion is detected, a residual EGR ratio of EGR gas remaining in an intake system of the internal combustion engine is calculated when the transient condition is detected, a lower limit value of a target equivalent ratio immediately after switching from the stratified combustion to the homogeneous combustion is variably set, in accordance with the residual EGR ratio, and the value of the target equivalent ratio immediately after switching from the stratified combustion to the homogeneous combustion is set to the set lower limit value.