Abstract: A single-track vehicle comprising a brake control unit, wherein the brake control unit includes a means for actively assisting the driver by means of an active variation or limitation of a vehicle speed or of a quantity derived therefrom, in particular vehicle acceleration.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a technique to monitor a vehicle. A radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag is installed in a vehicle to transmit vehicle information to a vehicle monitor. The vehicle monitor transmits a command to the vehicle upon receipt of the vehicle information based on a vehicle condition. A controller activates a control action to a mechanism controlling the vehicle in response to the command. In another embodiment of the invention, the vehicle monitor includes a field generator, an RFID reader, and a controller. The field generator generates a radio frequency (RF) field to awaken a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag installed in a vehicle driven by a driver. The RFID reader receives vehicle information transmitted by the RFID tag when the RFID tag is awaken by the field generator. The controller is communicatively coupled to the RFID reader to transmit a command to the vehicle based on the vehicle information and a vehicle condition.

Abstract: A method to determine and control engine torque in an internal combustion engine. The method may significantly reduce torque strategy calculations and the calibration complexity.

Abstract: A sensor signal from a speed sensor is inputted into an ECU. The ECU calculates a rotation speed of a crankshaft in a predetermined period based on the sensor signal. The rotation speed is filtered by a frequency which is defined based on a combustion frequency of the engine to obtain a value corresponding to a current torque. The ECU calculates a workload of each cylinder based on the value corresponding to the current torque, and controls characteristic of each cylinder based on the workload.

Abstract: A vehicle has a straddle seat, a handlebar, an engine, an electronic control unit (ECU), a throttle valve, a throttle valve actuator, and a throttle operator. A throttle operator position sensor senses a throttle operator position. A vehicle speed sensor senses a vehicle speed. The ECU sends a control signal to the throttle valve actuator based on the throttle operator position and the vehicle speed. The throttle valve actuator adjusts the opening of the throttle valve in response to the control signal. If the vehicle speed is lower than a predetermined maximum vehicle speed, the throttle valve actuator adjusts the opening of the throttle valve based on the throttle operator position signal. If the vehicle speed is higher than the predetermined maximum vehicle speed, the throttle valve actuator reduces the degree of opening of the throttle valve. A method of controlling an engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A throttle control method includes generating a throttle request based on a drag torque request and setting a throttle command equal to the throttle request when the throttle request is less than a throttle idle maximum. A throttle maximum increase is determined when the throttle request is greater than the throttle idle maximum and the throttle command is determined based on the throttle maximum increase. The throttle is controlled based on the throttle command.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine in a vehicle include controlling the engine to achieve a desired vehicle speed/deceleration when the accelerator pedal is released. A desired vehicle deceleration may be determined based on current transmission gear, vehicle speed, and road grade. Vehicle speed/deceleration is measured using a vehicle speed sensor and/or wheel speed sensor(s) and the engine is controlled to reduce the error between the desired and measured decelerations. Electronically actuated intake and/or exhaust valves, and/or an electronically controlled throttle may be used to achieve a desired vehicle deceleration profile. A selector switch or similar device may be used by the driver to select a desired deceleration profile from two or more available profiles and/or a desired deceleration profile may be automatically selected based on current ambient and/or vehicle/engine operating conditions.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an advanced vehicle system controller (VSC) that calculates a total power demand to meet a driver wheel power demand plus any accessory loads and independently schedules an engine speed and load operating point to meet the total power demand. A reduction in available engine brake power that is not associated with a driver input, and would ordinarily cause the VSC to respond by raising engine speed, is detected. The driver wheel power demand is reduced to compensate for the reduction in available engine brake power such that the VSC does not need to raise engine speed to meet the driver wheel power demand. A magnitude of the reduction may be determined according to a calibration map to allow a trade off to be made between driveability and noise, vibration, and harshness.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine, includes the steps of: detecting an operating speed reduction of the internal combustion engine; determining if the operating speed reduction is caused by an external load; and controlling operation of a fuel supply system to increase an output of fuel above a normal maximum fuel output, when the operating speed reduction is caused by the external load.

Abstract: An inlet air dynamics (IAD) characterization control system for an internal combustion engine includes a first module that estimates a future firing event manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and a second module that determines a MAP cycle difference based on the future firing event MAP and a previous cycle MAP. A third module characterizes an IAD state based on the MAP cycle difference.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the speed of an engine includes determining a desired engine power output and engine speed, and determining whether the desired engine speed is within one of a number of predetermined engine speed ranges. It is then determined whether a noise-vibration level for the vehicle is within a target range when it is determined that the desired engine speed is within one of the predetermined engine speed ranges. The noise-vibration level is a function of at least one of a corresponding vibration level for one or more vehicle mechanical systems, and a noise level for the passenger compartment for the engine operating at the desired engine speed. The engine is then controlled at the desired engine speed when the determined noise-vibration level is within a target range, and it is determined that the desired engine speed is within one of the predetermined engine speed ranges.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted power generator set including: an AC generator driven by an engine of a vehicle; an electric power conversion portion that converts an output of the AC generator into an AC output having commercial frequency; a controller having electric power conversion portion control means for controlling the conversion portion to generate an AC output having commercial frequency when a control mode is a power generation mode, and engine control means for controlling the engine to rotate at a rotational speed suitable for supplying electric power from the conversion portion to a load when the control mode is the power generation mode and controlling the engine to be suitable for driving the vehicle when the control mode is the vehicle driving mode; and a control switch inserted between each output terminal of the AC generator and each input terminal of the electric power conversion portion, and controlled to be in an ON state when the control mode is the power generation mode and in an OFF state when the

Abstract: A method for an accelerator pedal safety in a vehicle with an internal combustion engine having an Electronic Control Unit, (ECU), said method comprising: starting the engine; determining whether the engine is running; determining whether there is a request for additional torque; determining whether an inhibit is enabled; determining whether the vehicle speed is above a preset threshold; enabling the accelerator pedal torque request; and, logging a fault in the ECU and enabling the appropriate lamps or visual fault indicators.

Abstract: A prime mover control device of a construction machine according to the present invention includes a hydraulic pump (11) driven by a prime mover (40), a hydraulic traveling motor (5) driven with pressure oil output from the hydraulic pump (11), and a control valve (12) that controls a flow of the pressure oil from the hydraulic pump (11) to the hydraulic motor (5) in response to an operation of an operating member (22a).

Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid vehicle controlling device and method of using the device, in which an engine torque proportion (which is transmitted from an engine to a driving shaft) of a total sum of torque transmitted to the driving shaft is calculated. An allowed surge torque value, which is an upper limit of a surge torque allowed to the engine, is set to a larger value as the engine torque proportion is reduced. Then a predetermined parameter of the engine is changed so that the engine is controlled in a range in which the surge torque of the engine does not go beyond the allowed surge torque value.

Abstract: An engine control system that regulates operating of an engine of a motor vehicle includes a first module that determines whether a throttle of the motor vehicle is closed and a second module that determines whether the engine is idling while a cruise control is active. A third module selectively inhibits an RPM-based idle speed control of the engine if the throttle is closed and the engine is idling while the cruise control is active.

Abstract: A method for setting an initial compensation value of a sensor complex module is provided. The method for setting the initial compensation value of the sensor complex module including an acceleration sensor, a memory, and a controller that performs the setting of the initial compensation value, includes the following steps. A preset sensitivity value and an offset value are read from the memory, and an acceleration value is detected using the acceleration sensor. Then, an accelerating-force sensitivity value is calculated using the acceleration value and the offset value, and an accelerating-force error value is calculated using the accelerating-force sensitivity value and the sensitivity value. A gradient error value is calculated using the accelerating-force error value and the acceleration of gravity, and a polarity value is set according to the accelerating-force sensitivity value.

Abstract: An engine (drive force) control apparatus for a motorcycle that prevents a change in vehicle behavior by noise or the like. A control CPU electronically controls injection and ignition of fuel and a throttle valve. An abnormality detecting portion detects an abnormality of the engine control apparatus by a predetermined abnormality detecting period. When the abnormality is detected, primary abnormality processing of the engine control apparatus is executed. When the abnormality is not detected, primary abnormality processing is released and an electronic control at normal time of the engine control apparatus is executed. When an abnormality detecting signal detected by the abnormality detecting portion continues even an elapse of a predetermined abnormality determining time period, primary abnormality processing is shifted to secondary abnormality processing.

Abstract: An ECU executes the step S100 of detecting an intake air amount QA and an ignition timing IT, the step S200 of calculating an estimated engine torque TE from QA and IT, the step S300 of detecting the engine rotation speed NE and the turbine rotation speed NT, the step S400 of calculating the speed ratio E of the torque converter 210, the step S500 of calculating a torque capacity C from the speed ratio, the step S600 of calculating a reference torque TP(0) from the torque capacity C, the step S700 correcting the reference torque TP(0) into TP based on a map, the step S900 setting TE as the estimated engine torque if TP is greater than TE, and the step S1000 setting TP as the estimated engine torque if TP is not greater than TE.

Abstract: Providing a control apparatus for a variable-cylinder engine or a vehicle control apparatus, which permits a further improvement in the fuel economy of the vehicle Decompression-state setting means 102 is arranged to place appropriate ones of non-operating cylinders of the variable-cylinder engine 10 in the decompression state, on the basis of regenerative braking state of vehicle detected by regenerative-braking-state detecting means 100, so that only a required minimum number of the non-operating cylinders of the variable-cylinder engine 10 is/are placed in the decompression state, depending upon the detected regenerative braking state of the vehicle, making it possible to not only improve fuel economy of the vehicle but also assure sufficient engine braking of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying noncompliant fuel of a vehicle and improving drivability. The method comprises: (a) confirming a present coolant temperature after the vehicle has been started, (b) setting a coolant temperature factor value based on the coolant temperature, (c) setting an RPM reference value based on the RPM, (d) determining whether an RPM incremental value reaches the RPM reference value, (e) setting a calibration learning value if the RPM incremental value is smaller than the RPM reference value, (f) calculating a learning value of fuel injection volume, (g) calculating the fuel injection volume for start injection based on the calculated fuel injection volume, (h) determining whether a start state of the vehicle has completed, and (i) calculating the fuel injection volume after start injection and fuel injection for acceleration or deceleration if the start state has been completed.

Abstract: There is provided construction machinery for switchably controlling rotational speed between a normal and an energy saving mode. Change in workload is detected by means except for change in pressure of a main circuit. It is more convenient to use the machinery in the energy saving mode, increasing opportunities for use in the energy saving mode to suppress fuel consumption and noise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to control acceleration of a vehicle equipped with an electrically variable transmission and including a regenerative braking system, each are operably connected to a vehicle driveline. The method and apparatus include determining which one of a preselected shift selector position for the transmission is commanded, and determining operator demand for acceleration, using inputs from throttle pedal and brake pedal. Vehicle acceleration is measured, and magnitude of commanded torque transferred from the electrically variable transmission and the regenerative braking system to the vehicle driveline is controlled based upon the commanded preselected shift selector position, the operator demand for acceleration, and the measured vehicle acceleration.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling engine torque in a hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes comparing an engine speed command to a maximum engine speed command, comparing an engine speed value to the engine speed command, and adjusting the engine torque command if the engine speed command is within a predetermined threshold to the maximum engine speed command and the engine speed exceeds the engine speed command by at least a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including a request drive force converted into an engine torque falls out of a saturation region, a step of calculating the target opening degree of a throttle, the request drive force converted into the engine torque falls in the saturation region, and the request drive force calculated on the basis of the opening degree of an acceleration converted into the engine torque falls in the saturation region.

Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine in which each cylinder of the internal combustion engine is assigned at least one system deviation and at least one controller, each controller predefining a cylinder-specific control signal on the basis of the assigned system deviation, is characterized in that at least one first controller which predefines the control signal as a function of at least one signal characterizing the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is provided, and at least one second controller which predefines the control signal as a function of at least one signal characterizing the exhaust-gas composition is provided; and, as a function of at least one operating parameter characterizing the operating state of the internal combustion engine, the control signal is predefined either by the at least one first or the at least one second controller or by a combination of a control signal generated by the at least one first controller and a control signal generated by the at

Abstract: The present invention provides a controller for controlling a modeled plant robustly against disturbance. The controller comprises an estimator and a control unit. The estimator estimates disturbance applied to the plant. The control unit determines an input to the plant so that an output of the plant converges to a desired value. The input to the plant is determined to include a value obtained by multiplying the estimated disturbance by a predetermined gain. Since estimated disturbance is reflected in the input to the plant, control having robustness against disturbance is implemented. The controller may comprise a state predictor. The state predictor predicts the output of the plant based on the estimated disturbance and dead time included in the plant. The control unit determined the input to the plant so that the predicted output converges to a desired value. Since the state predictor allows for the dead time, the accuracy of the control is improved.

Abstract: A method is for making a diagnosis as to signal plausibility in a speed sensor of a motor vehicle. In the method, the speed sensor outputs a pulse sequence to an evaluation circuit in dependence upon the speed of the vehicle and, in a steady-state operating condition of the motor vehicle, a ratio is formed between the determined speed and an engine rpm and the ratio is averaged over a pregiven time. A plausibility is determined only when the formed mean value lies in a value range permissible for the steady-state operating condition.

Abstract: An engine controller system employs angular position sensors which are operable to very accurately determine the position of rotating engine members. Information about the angular position of the engine members is used to alter operation of the engine for improved efficiency and/or reduced emissions from the engine. The angular position of the crankshaft and camshafts can be determined by affixing a dipole magnet to each of them such that the magnet field of the magnet rotates with the rotating member and then placing a angular position sensor adjacent each rotating member to detect the rotation of each magnetic field. In another embodiment, the angular position of each end of at least one of the rotating members is determined to allow the processor to determine the torsional deflection of the member and the engine controller system is responsive to that determined deflection to further alter operation of the engine.

Abstract: A travel assist system searches a nearest service station based on navigation information and predicts a quantity of aqueous urea solution consumed until the service station is reached. If a quantity of the remaining aqueous urea solution is not greater than the aqueous urea solution consumption at least by a predetermined value, a warning is provided to a user. Control conditions of an internal combustion engine (diesel engine) enabling the vehicle to reach the service station without running short of the aqueous urea solution are calculated. An exhaust gas recirculation quantity is increased based on the calculation result. Thus, nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas is reduced and a consumption of the aqueous urea solution is reduced.

Abstract: A system for reducing clunk in a driveline of a vehicle having an engine comprises a torque-based module that generates a torque request, a filter that receives the torque request from the torque-based module and that selectively modifies the torque request to reduce a rate of change of the torque request, and an engine control module that receives the modified torque request and actuates the engine to produce the modified torque request. The filter slows torque changes to a fixed rate within a range defined by an upper limit greater than zero torque and a lower limit less than zero torque. The filter applies a low-pass filter to the torque request when the torque request is greater than a cut-off value, and coefficients of the low-pass filter are selected from a table based upon the currently selected gear in the vehicle and an output of an aggressive driving evaluator.

Abstract: A controller which is capable of maintaining stability of a control system even if the dynamic characteristic of a controlled object temporarily changes sharply in the case where a controlled object model is used. An ECU of the controller calculates a first disturbance estimate by carrying out a low-pass filtering process and a rate limiting process on a first estimation error as the difference between a fuel pressure estimate calculated with an estimation algorithm and a fuel pressure. Then, the ECU calculates a second disturbance estimate based on a second estimation error as the difference between the first estimation error and the first disturbance estimate, with a predetermined disturbance estimation algorithm. Further, the ECU calculates a fuel pressure control input based on the fuel pressure and the first and second disturbance estimates, with a predetermined control algorithm.

Abstract: A control device for controlling an engine driven vehicle that drives a generator by an engine to supply power to an external load when the vehicle is stopped, including: rotational speed limiting means for controlling to limit a rotational speed of the engine to a limit rotational speed or lower corresponding to an upper limit value accepted while driving when the vehicle is driven, and to limit the rotational speed of the engine to a limit rotational speed or lower corresponding to a rotational speed slightly higher than an upper limit value of the rotational speed required for supplying power from the generator to the external load when the vehicle is stopped to supply power from the generator to the external load.

Abstract: A control device for controlling an engine driven vehicle that drives a generator by an engine to supply power to an external load when the vehicle is stopped, including: rotational speed limiting means for controlling to limit a rotational speed of the engine to a limit rotational speed or lower corresponding to an upper limit value accepted while driving when the vehicle is driven, and to limit the rotational speed of the engine to a limit rotational speed or lower corresponding to a rotational speed slightly higher than an upper limit value of the rotational speed required for supplying power from the generator to the external load when the vehicle is stopped to supply power from the generator to the external load.

Abstract: A powertrain control selects engine operating points in accordance with power loss minimization controls. Power loss contributions come from a variety of sources including engine power losses. Engine power losses are determined in accordance with engine operating metrics such as power production per unit fuel consumption and power production per unit emission production. Engine power losses are combined in accordance with assigned weighting into a single engine power loss term for use in the power loss minimization control and operating point selection.

Abstract: The method and system for automatically controlling a path of travel of a vehicle include engaging an automatic control system when the security of the onboard controls is jeopardized. Engagement may be automatic or manual from inside the vehicle or remotely via a communication link. Any onboard capability to supersede the automatic control system may then be disabled by disconnecting the onboard controls and/or providing uninterruptible power to the automatic control system via a path that does not include the onboard accessible power control element(s). The operation of the vehicle is then controlled via the processing element of the automatic control system. The control commands may be received from a remote location and/or from predetermined control commands that are stored onboard the vehicle.

Abstract: An engine control device for detecting misfire of an engine. Based on a detected crank angle of the engine, an angular velocity at a first crank angle at which the engine speed is close to a minimum within one combustion cycle of each cylinder is calculated as a pre-combustion angular velocity, and an angular velocity at a second crank angle at which the engine speed is close to a maximum within the same combustion cycle is calculated as a post-combustion angular velocity. An amount of rotation variation caused between the first and second crank angles is calculated based on the pre-combustion and post-combustion angular velocities of the same combustion cycle, and is compared with a predetermined misfire criterion to determine whether or not misfire has occurred. When misfire is detected, a required operation is performed, for example, a warning lamp is turned on or the fuel supply quantity is increased.

Abstract: The invention aims to reduce an error occurring due to the mounting condition of an acceleration sensor. In the case of a two-axis sensor, an angle ? is calculated from outputs (x?, y?) that the acceleration sensor produces when known accelerations (x, y) are applied, and the angle ? is stored in a storage device contained in a casing in which the acceleration sensor is housed. In the case of a one-axis sensor, the ratio of the magnitudes of accelerations is stored. The acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor is compensated by using the value stored in the storage device.

Abstract: A method for processing an accelerometer data set generated from an operating internal combustion engine is disclosed. The processed accelerometer data is cepstrally filtered and a heat release trace is pulled from the accelerometer data set. That heat release trace is then used to estimate combustion quality and combustion phasing within the engine and control future combustion events using this information. Misfire and knock sensing is also incorporated into the engine controls. The method provides controls for an engine to allow it to adjust combustion from cycle window to cycle window generally without the need for expensive and less durable direct pressure measurement devices as compared to accelerometers. The resulting fuel injection speed results in the fuel passing through shock waves within the combustion chamber, which, in turn, promotes combustion of the fuel by promoting mixing of the fuel and intake charge within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An engine driven vehicle having a function of supplying power to an external load from a generator driven by an engine that is operated in a power generation mode while the vehicle is stopped, including: throttle position determination means for determining whether a throttle valve is placed closer to an acceleration side than a normal position in the power generation mode while the engine is operated in the power generation mode; and safety engine control means for conducting a control to prevent the engine from being operated at a higher speed than a set speed limit when the determination means determines that the throttle valve is placed closer to the acceleration side than the normal position in the power generation mode.

Abstract: Idle speed stability is imparted to a compression ignition engine by processing data values for actual engine speed and desired engine speed to yield a data value for engine speed error; processing (22) the data value for engine speed error according to a governor algorithm for yielding a data value for a mass fuel rate for governed fueling of the engine; c) processing (24) the data value for mass fuel rate for governed fueling of the engine and the data value for actual engine speed to yield a data value for a quantity of fuel to be injected into an engine cylinder during an ensuing stroke of a piston within the cylinder; and d) injecting (30) that quantity of fuel into the cylinder during that stroke.

Abstract: A method for controlling a drive unit of a vehicle which allows a comfortable compensation of the torque requirement of ancillary components. In this method, torque losses are compensated in a steady-state manner in an overrun and an acceleration operation. The steady-state compensation of the torque losses in overrun operation is weighted by a first weighting factor. The first weighting factor is raised in a linear manner when the drag torque decreases in amount, until acceleration operation is reached.

Abstract: An engine control system that regulates operation of an engine includes an intake valve that regulates air intake into a cylinder of the engine and an exhaust valve that regulates exhaust from the cylinder. A control module determines a cylinder volume at intake valve closure and a cylinder volume at intake valve opening and calculates an intake pumping torque based on the cylinder volume at intake valve closure and the cylinder volume at intake valve opening. The control module determines a cylinder volume at exhaust valve closure and a cylinder volume at exhaust valve opening and calculates an exhaust pumping torque based on the cylinder volume at exhaust valve closure and the cylinder volume at exhaust valve opening. The control module calculates a net pumping torque based on the intake pumping torque and the exhaust pumping torque and regulates engine operation based on the net pumping torque.

Abstract: A control system that controls operation of an engine to achieve a desired vehicle drive characteristic includes a pedal sensor that generates a pedal device position signal and an adjusted pedal module that determines an adjusted pedal based on the pedal device position signal and a vehicle speed. An engine torque request module determines an engine torque request based on said adjusted pedal and an engine speed.

Abstract: A vehicular powertrain includes a throttle controlled engine and a power take-off system for driving external loads. A power take-off control executed in a first processor seeks to have engine control authority in accordance with operator invoked switch states including an enable switch and set switches. Power take-off switch data is provided to a second processor to determine the power take-off system status and provide an integrity diagnosis of the power take-off system.

Abstract: A failure detection device for a vehicle having a deceleration deactivatable engine, by which failure detection, performed primarily by monitoring the oil pressure of operation oil, is ensured. The failure detection device is provided for a vehicle having a deceleration deactivatable engine in which it is possible to deactivate at least one cylinder by closing both of intake and exhaust valves thereof by applying the oil pressure of operation oil to a passage for deactivation execution via an actuator, and also it is possible to cancel the closed state of both of the intake and exhaust valves by applying the oil pressure of the operation oil to a passage for deactivation cancellation.

Abstract: An engine mounted to a vehicle includes at least one manipulation member used for control of output of the engine. An electronic control unit controls the manipulation member in accordance with the driving condition of the engine. When it is determined that there is an abnormality in the electronic control unit, the amount of air drawn into the engine is fixed to a predetermined value and the amount of manipulation of the manipulation member is restricted. When the rotational speed of the engine becomes higher than the predetermined speed, the electronic control unit determines that there is an abnormality relating to the manipulation of the manipulation member.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine (1), air is taken into a cylinder (5) from an intake passage (30) through an intake valve (15). The amount of air taken into the cylinder (5) is controlled to a target intake air amount by having an engine controller (31) operate an intake throttle (23) in accordance with an accelerator opening (APO), taking into account a predetermined response delay (T2). The engine controller (31) calculates a predicted value (Qc1) of the intake air amount on the basis of the accelerator opening (APO), and controls a fuel injector (21) to inject fuel in a target fuel injection amount (Ti) which corresponds to this predicted value (Qc1) at a predetermined timing. In so doing, an improvement is achieved in the degree of precision with which air-fuel ratio control is performed when the internal combustion engine (1) accelerates or decelerates.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle comprises a lateral acceleration sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a target vehicle speed setting device, a drive system of the vehicle, and a controller connected. The controller is arranged to calculate a correction quantity on the basis of the lateral acceleration and the vehicle speed, to calculate a command vehicle speed on the basis of the vehicle speed, the target vehicle speed, a variation of the command vehicle speed and the correction quantity, and to control the drive system to bring the vehicle speed closer to the command vehicles speed.

Abstract: A processor unit executes a failure detection program for a vehicle. The failure detection program includes a first failure detection process of a high priority level, a second failure detection process of a moderate priority level and a memory manipulation process of a low priority level. Each of the failure detection processes requests memory manipulation by generating an event as the need arises. When the memory manipulation process is activated, it performs the requested memory manipulation in the same order as the memory manipulation is requested so that execution of memory manipulation requested by one of the failure detection processes is not interrupted by execution of memory manipulation requested by the other of the failure detection processes. However, each of the failure detection processes itself can be executed interrupting the execution of memory manipulation process because of its higher priority level.