Abstract: An information provision apparatus (1) comprises an observed-object detection apparatus (11) and an information output unit (41), and outputs from the information output unit (41) information on an observed object detected by the observed-object detection apparatus (11). The observed-object detection apparatus (11) comprises: a line-of-sight detector (21) for detecting a line of sight of a driver; an object detector (22) for detecting an object which is on a line of sight of a driver, based on the direction of the line of sight detected by the line-of-sight detector (21), on a current position of a vehicle, and on map information; and an observed-object calculator (23) for determining from objects detected by the object detector (22) an observed object observed by a driver, based on time for which the object is on a line of sight. This allows an object observed by a driver to be detected even if there is no trigger from the driver.

Abstract: An information provision apparatus (1) comprises an observed-object detection apparatus (11) and an information output unit (41), and outputs from the information output unit (41) information on an observed object detected by the observed-object detection apparatus (11). The observed-object detection apparatus (11) comprises: a line-of-sight detector (21) for detecting a line of sight of a driver; an object detector (22) for detecting an object which is on a line of sight of a driver, based on the direction of the line of sight detected by the line-of-sight detector (21), on a current position of a vehicle, and on map information; and an observed-object calculator (23) for determining from objects detected by the object detector (22) an observed object observed by a driver, based on time for which the object is on a line of sight. This allows an object observed by a driver to be detected even if there is no trigger from the driver.

Abstract: In a fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine, the voltage of a vehicle-mounted battery is monitored to see if the voltage is below a predetermined voltage at which a microcomputer used in an electronic control unit is disabled or malfunctions on engine start where large current is consumed by a starter motor. During engine start, asynchronous fuel injection is performed using the result of the voltage monitoring in place of normal or main fuel injection. The amount of fuel to be injected by the asynchronous fuel injection may be limited and/or the number of times of asynchronous fuel injection may be limited so as to prevent excessive fuel supply. In monitoring the battery voltage, hysteresis characteristic may be given to a reference voltage so as to avoid undesirable chattering.

Abstract: In or idling speed control system for engines, a bypass passage is branched off from a main intake passage located upstream of a throttle valve and is connected to the main intake passage located downstream of the throttle valve. A flow control valve, actuated by a step motor, is arranged in the bypass passage. The step motor is controlled by an electronic control unit so that the engine speed becomes equal to a predetermined speed. When the engine is stopped, the flow control valve opens the bypass passage to the maximum extent so that the engine can be easily started at the time of next engine start.

Abstract: An engine comprising a main intake passage having a throttle valve therein. A bypass passage is branched off from the main intake passage located upstream of the throttle valve and is connected to the main intake passage located downstream of the throttle valve. A flow control valve, actuated by a step motor, is arranged in the bypass passage. The step motor comprises a rotor and a stator having exciting coils. When the engine is operating in an idling state, the exciting coils are excited for rotating the step motor in a rotating direction wherein the engine speed approaches a desired idling speed. When the engine speed becomes equal to the desired engine speed and is higher than a predetermined speed, the exciting coil, which was finally excited immediately before the engine speed becomes equal to the desired idling speed, is intermittently excited in order to maintain the step motor stationary.

Abstract: An engine comprising a main intake passage having a throttle valve therein. A bypass passage is branched off from the main intake passage located upstream of the throttle valve and is connected to the main intake passage located downstream of the throttle valve. A flow control valve, actuated by a step motor, is arranged in the bypass passage. The step motor is controlled by an electronic control unit having three memories. The data, indicating the step position of the step motor, is stored in the three memories at the same time. When at least two pieces of data among the data stored in the three memories are the same, it is determined that the two pieces of data are considered as true data indicating the actual step position of the step motor.