Abstract: A parking assist apparatus for a vehicle includes a recognizing apparatus for recognizing a target position for parking the vehicle, a calculating apparatus for calculating a course for parking the vehicle from a current vehicle position to the target position recognized by the recognizing apparatus during the vehicle being moving and an informing apparatus for informing a user of the vehicle that the vehicle can be parked at the recognized target position when the course of the vehicle has been correctly calculated by the calculating apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for ordering goods or services which are advertised or promoted on a broadcast medium, such as a radio station. The apparatus includes a client terminal which may be mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile. The client terminal includes a radio transmitter for transmitting information to a service center. The client terminal also includes a push button for activation to place an order for merchandise. The signal includes the vehicle location, terminal identification, date and the frequency of the radio receiver. The service center utilizes this information to learn the identity of the merchandise being promoted and the merchant offering the merchandise. The service center then orders the merchandise for delivery to the client.

Abstract: The engine control system for a hybrid vehicle, according to the present invention, having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as driving force sources, comprises: a clutch, provided between the engine and a transmission system, for disabling and enabling driving force transmission between the engine and the transmission system; clutch disengagement detector for detecting engagement/disengagement of the clutch; engine speed detector for detecting an engine speed; and fuel cutter for permitting stopping and restarting of the engine in accordance with at least a result of detection by the clutch disengagement detector among predetermined drive conditions, and cutting fuel supply to the engine when the vehicle decelerates, a fuel-supply restart engine speed at which fuel supply is resumed being set in the fuel cutter.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine has a catalyst arranged in the exhaust system, for purifying exhaust gases emitted from the engine. An ECU controls operation of the engine, based on at least one predetermined control parameter, and detects a temperature state of the catalyst at the start of the engine. The at least one predetermined control parameter is changed, based on the detected temperature state of the catalyst, after the start of the engine.

Abstract: A device is provided for detecting a malfunction of an air fuel ratio sensor disposed downstream of a catalytic converter in an exhaust passage of an engine. The device calculates a differential value of a sensor output with respect to time. Then the device compare the differential value of said sensor output with a predetermined value and calculate a frequency of the differential value of the sensor output which exceeds the predetermined value. Then the device compares the frequency with a predetermined value and determine that the sensor is malfunctioning if the frequency does not exceed the predetermined value.

Abstract: A device for determining the degree of deterioration of catalyst of a catalytic converter arranged in an internal combustion engine exhaust system is disclosed. The device comprises an O.sub.2 sensor which is arranged in the internal combustion engine exhaust system downstream of the catalytic converter. The O.sub.2 sensor has the low oxidization and deoxidization ability on the detection surface thereof. The device determines the degree of deterioration of the catalyst by comparing a value in connection with an extra O.sub.2 concentration on the basis of a current output of the O.sub.2 sensor in the exhaust gas at a predetermined air-fuel ratio with a basic value.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a catalyst arranged in the exhaust system, for purifying exhaust gases emitted from the engine. Upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio sensors arranged in the exhaust system at respective locations upstream and downstream of the catalyst detect the concentration of a specific component present in the exhaust gases. An ECU controls the air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine, in response to the outputs from the upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio sensors. The ECU detects deterioration of the catalyst caused by sulfur poisoning, based on at least the output from the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine comprises upstream and downstream O2 sensors arranged in the exhaust system of the engine at respective locations upstream and downstream of a catalytic converter, for detecting concentration of oxygen in exhaust gases from the engine. An ECU sets a control variable having a value proportional to the difference between an output from the downstream O2 sensor and a first predetermined reference value, and compares between an output from the upstream O2 sensor and a second predetermined reference value, to thereby calculate an air-fuel ratio correction coefficient, based on results of comparison and the set control variable. The air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine is controlled based on the calculated air-fuel ratio correction coefficient.

Abstract: There is provided an air-fuel ratio control system for controlling the air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to an internal combustion engine having an exhaust passage. The system includes upstream and downstream exhaust gas component concentration sensors arranged in the exhaust passage at respective locations upstream and downstream of a catalytic converter, for detecting concentration of a component contained in exhaust gases. Feedback control of the air-fuel ratio of the mixture is carried out based on a value of a control parameter set based on an output from the downstream exhaust gas component concentration sensor and an output from the upstream exhaust gas component concentration sensor. An inversion period is detected with which the output from the upstream exhaust gas component concentration sensor is inverted from one side to another side with respect to a predetermined level during the feedback control of the air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor deterioration-detecting system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of groups of cylinders groups, an exhaust system having a plurality of exhaust passages extending, respectively, from the cylinder groups, and catalytic converters arranged in the exhaust system, and a plurality of upstream oxygen sensors arranged, respectively, in the exhaust passages at locations upstream of the catalytic converters, includes a single downstream oxygen sensor arranged in a confluent portion of the exhaust passages at a location downstream of the catalytic converters, for detecting the mixed air-fuel ratio of exhaust gases emitted from the cylinder groups.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor heat controlling apparatus includes: a current-limiting type oxygen sensor whose electrical characteristic varies with a change in an oxygen concentration of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine, and whose alternating current resistance varies with a change in an operating temperature of the sensor; a voltage source connected with the sensor through a resistor to supply a given voltage to the sensor; a differential amplifier having a first input connected with the sensor and a second input connected with the voltage source through the resistor, the amplifier producing at its output an output signal derived from the difference between the given voltage and an output voltage from the sensor, the output signal being representative of the oxygen concentration of the exhaust gases; a first closed loop circuit which connects the output of the amplifier with the first input of the amplifier via a first feedback resistor so as to control a current flow through the sensor; a second closed

Abstract: A misfire-detecting system for an internal combustion engine has an ECU which detects a value of a parameter representative of a misfiring state of the engine, and also detects the deterioration degree of a catalytic converter arranged in the engine exhaust system. The ECU sets a misfire-determining reference value, based on the detected deterioration degree of the catalytic converter, compares between the detected value of the above parameter and the misfire-determining reference value, and determines whether the engine is in a misfiring state, based on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A method of detecting deterioration of a three-way catalyst of an internal combustion engine comprises the steps of (1) obtaining a first signal and a second signal based on respective signals outputted from a pre-catalyst O.sub.2 sensor and a post-catalyst O.sub.2 sensor at least one of when the fuel supply to the engine is increased and when the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted, (2) comparing a waveform of a signal outputted from the pre-catalyst O.sub.2 sensor with a waveform of a signal outputted from the post-catalyst O.sub.2 sensor, based on the first and second signals while the engine is in a predetermined stable operating condition, and (3) determining from results of the comparison whether or not the three-way catalyst is deteriorated.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust system, and an air-fuel ratio sensor arranged upstream of the catalytic converter calculates an air-fuel ratio correction amount by means of proportional control and integral control based on an output from the air-fuel ratio sensor, and controls an air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine, based on the air-fuel ratio correction amount. A control frequency at which the air-fuel ratio control is carried out is increased when deterioration of the catalytic converter is detected.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust system, a first air-fuel ratio sensor arranged upstream of the catalytic converter, and a second air-fuel ratio sensor arranged downstream of the catalytic converter, calculates an air-fuel ratio control variable, based on an output from the second air-fuel ratio sensor. An air-fuel ratio correction amount is calculated based on an output from the first air-fuel ratio sensor and the air-fuel ratio control variable. The air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine is controlled based on the air-fuel ratio correction amount. The air-fuel ratio control variable is corrected in the rich direction such that the air-fuel ratio of the mixture supplied to the engine becomes richer, when deterioration of the catalytic converter is detected.

Abstract: An abnormality-detecting device is provided for an internal combustion engine having first and second oxygen sensors arranged in the exhaust system at locations upstream and downstream of a catalytic converter. An ECU detects the degree of deterioration of the catalytic converter, based on an output from the second oxygen sensor, and sets a reference value for determining an abnormality in the engine, based on the detected degree of deterioration of the catalytic converter. The ECU compares between the set reference value and a value based on an output from the first oxygen sensor, and determines the abnormality in the engine, based on the result of the comparison. Upon detection of the abnormality, an LED is actuated to issue an alarm.

Abstract: A device for detecting deterioration of a catalyst temperature sensor which detects the temperature of a three-way catalyst arranged in the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, judges that the sensor has deteriorated when the difference between the actual output value from the catalyst temperature sensor and a reference value based on predetermined engine operating parameters exceeds a predetermined value while the engine is in a predetermined operating condition.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust system, and first and second air-fuel ratio sensors arranged upstream and downstream of the catalytic converter respectively has an ECU which calculates an air-fuel ratio correction amount, based at least on an output from the first air-fuel ratio sensor, and detects deterioration of the catalytic converter, based on an output from the second air-fuel ratio sensor when the engine is in a predetermined operating condition. The ECU inhibits detection of deterioration of the catalytic converter when the air-fuel ratio correction amount falls outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: A catalyst deterioration-detecting system is provided for an internal combustion engine having an oxygen concentration sensor arranged in an exhaust system downstream of a catalyst provided therein. An electronic control unit (ECU) controls the air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine in response to an output from the oxygen concentration sensor. The ECU detects a value of an inversion period with which the output from the oxygen concentration sensor is inverted with respect to a predetermined reference value. Operating parameter sensors detect a value of at least one operating parameter of the engine related to a flow rate of the exhaust gases in the exhaust system. The ECU determines whether the catalyst is deteriorated, based on the detected value of the inversion period and the detected value of the at least one operating parameter. The ECU corrects the value of the inversion period in dependence on the detected value of the at least one operating parameter.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine calculates an air-fuel ratio feedback control parameter by proportional-integral control using a proportional factor and an integral factor, based an output signal from a second air-fuel ratio sensor arranged in an exhaust passage at a location upstream of a catalytic converter. An air-fuel ratio correction amount is calculated based on the air-fuel ratio feedback control parameter and an output signal from a first air-fuel ratio sensor arranged in the exhaust passage at a location upstream of the catalytic converter. An inversion period of the output signal from the second air-fuel ratio sensor is measured, and the proportional factor is changed according to the inversion period measured.