Method and apparatus for controlling an engine using a cam signal

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application 2005-014748 filed on Jan. 21, 2005 and claims the benefit of priority therefrom, so that the descriptions of which are all incorporated herein by reference.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling an engine using a cam signal.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional engine control units for vehicles have carried out engine control, such as fuel injection control and/or ignition timing control, in synchronization with rotation of an engine crankshaft.

Specifically, a crank signal is output from a crankshaft sensor. The crank signal consists of a train of crank pulses whose same-directed edges correspond to angular positions of the crankshaft as it rotates. A pulse cycles of the pulse train corresponds to a predetermined angular interval of the crankshaft rotation. When the detected crank signal is input to the engine control unit, the engine control unit multiplies a frequency of the crank signal to generate a frequency-multiplication clock signal. For details, the frequency-multiplication clock signal consists of a train of clock pulses whose clock cycle is a positive integral submultiple of the pulse cycle of the crank signal.

The engine control unit increments an angular counter indicative of a rotational position (crank position) of the crankshaft in response to the multiplication clock signal in accordance with a crank-signal synchronized control program that has been stored in the engine control unit. The crank position of the crankshaft can be referred to as crank angle. This allows the engine control unit to grasp the crank position of the crankshaft with a resolution higher than that obtained based on the angular intervals of the crankshaft. The resolution obtained by using the angular counter can be represented as the value obtained by dividing an angular interval of the crankshaft by the number of the multiplication. When the count value of the angular counter coincides with a predetermined setting corresponding to a given crank position, the engine control unit carries out fuel injection or ignition. These operations of the engine control unit are for example disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-200747 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,998B1 corresponding to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-214790.

An engine control unit of this type includes a pulse-edge interval counter and a multiplication counter as means for generating the multiplication clock signal. The pulse-edge interval counter is configured to measure time intervals between active edges, such as trailing edges, of a pulse signal input thereto. The measured intervals will be referred to as pulse-edge intervals hereinafter.

The multiplication counter is configured to generate a frequency-multiplication clock signal in synchronization with the pulse signal; this frequency-multiplication clock signal consists of a train of clock pulses whose clock cycles correspond to time intervals obtained by dividing the measured pulse-edge intervals by the predetermined number of multiplication.

Specifically, when the crank signal is input as the pulse signal to the pulse-edge interval counter, the pulse-edge interval counter measures pulse-edge intervals between active edges of temporally adjacent crank pulses in the input crank signal. The multiplication counter generates the frequency-multiplication clock signal consisting of a train of clock pulses whose clock cycles correspond to time intervals obtained by dividing the measured pulse-edge intervals by the predetermined number of multiplication.

Note that, in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-200747 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,998B1, the direction of each of the same-directed pulse edges of the crank pulses in the crank signal is the same as that of each of the active edges of a pulse signal input to the pulse-edge interval counter. This allows the crank signal to be directly input to the pulse-edge interval counter. If the direction of each of the same-directed pulse edges of the crank pulses in the crank signal is different from that of each of the active edges of a pulse signal input to the pulse-edge interval counter, the crank signal can be input to the pulse-edge interval counter with its level being inverted.

In engine control units using the crank signal for engine control, if the crank signal fails to be input to the pulse-edge interval counter due to, for example, a break in wires connecting the crankshaft sensor and the pulse-edge interval counter, the frequency-multiplication clock signal cannot be generated. This may cause the count operation of the angular counter to stop so that the engine control unit may not carry out engine control in synchronization with rotation of the crankshaft.

Engine control units using the crank signal for engine control have therefore stored therein a fail-safe control program in addition to the crank-signal synchronized control program. The fail-safe control program is designed to cause a computer, such as a microcomputer of the engine control unit, to carry out engine control, such as fuel injection control and/or ignition timing control, based on a cam signal output from a camshaft sensor. The cam signal is configured to vary between its high and low levels depending on rotation of an engine camshaft.

Specifically, when detecting an abnormality of the crank signal, the engine control unit runs the fail-safe control program in place of the crank-signal synchronized control program to allow the vehicle to be driven in a limp-home mode, namely, driven home slowly.

On the other hand, U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,145 corresponding to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H07-310582 discloses a method of generating a simulated crank signal based on a cam signal detected by a cam sensor in an event of a failure of a crankshaft sensor, and of controlling the engine based on the simulated crank signal.

Install of the fail-safe control program in an engine control unit in addition to the crank-signal synchronized control program may reduce free space therein and increase the number of person-hours required to develop engine-control software including the control programs.

The publication U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,145 discloses generation of the simulated crank signal based on the cam signal, but may not disclose specific configurations and operations required to generate the simulated crank signal. Moreover, in order to concretize the techniques disclosed in the Publication U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,145, a dedicated circuit is probably required to generate the simulated crank signal based on the cam signal, which may increase hardware configuration in the engine control unit.

The present invention has been made on the background so that preferable embodiments of the present invention are capable of allowing a vehicle to be driven in a limp-home mode in an event of an error in a crank signal while holding the increase in hardware components and/or engine-control software.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling an engine using a cam signal in addition to a crank signal. The cam signal includes a series of changes between high and low levels in a predetermined waveform pattern. Same directed edges of the changes of the cam signal corresponds to angular positions of rotation of a camshaft of the engine. The crank signal includes a train of crank pulses whose same-directed edges correspond to angular positions of rotation of a crankshaft of the engine. The angular positions of rotation of the camshaft are associated with those of rotation of the crankshaft. The apparatus includes an edge interval measuring unit designed to receive an input signal including a series of changes between high and low levels and to measure an edge interval of temporally adjacent same-directed edges of the input signal. The apparatus also includes an input unit designed to input the crank signal as the input signal to the edge interval measuring unit. The edge interval measuring unit measures one of edge intervals of temporally adjacent same-directed edges of the crank signal. The apparatus includes a multiplication clock signal generating unit configured to generate a multiplication clock signal including a train of clock pulses whose clock cycle is an integral number submultiple of the measured edge interval. The apparatus includes a count unit configured to count in synchronization with the multiplication clock signal, and an abnormality determining unit configured to determine whether the crank signal is abnormal. The apparatus includes a switching unit configured to switch the input signal to the edge interval measuring unit from the crank signal to the cam signal when it is determined that the crank signal is abnormal. The edge interval measuring unit measures an edge interval of temporally adjacent same-directed edges of the cam signal. The apparatus includes a count-value control unit. The count-value control unit is configured to identify the angular positions of the crankshaft based on the cam signal to initialize a count value of the count unit based on the identified angular positions of the crankshaft. The count-value control unit is configured to change the integral number based on the predetermined waveform pattern of the cam signal to shift the count value of the count unit as in the case of the crank signal inputting to the edge interval measuring unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an engine using a cam signal in addition to a crank signal. The cam signal includes a series of changes between high and low levels in a predetermined waveform pattern. Same directed edges of the changes of the cam signal correspond to angular positions of rotation of a camshaft of the engine. The crank signal includes a train of crank pulses whose same-directed edges correspond to angular positions of rotation of a crankshaft of the engine. The angular positions of rotation of the camshaft are associated with those of rotation of the crankshaft. The method includes, when receiving an input signal including a series of changes between high and low levels, measuring an edge interval of temporally adjacent same-directed edges of the input signal. The method includes inputting the crank signal as the input signal to the measuring step. The measuring step measures one of edge intervals of temporally adjacent same-directed edges of the crank signal. The method includes generating a multiplication clock signal including a train of clock pulses whose clock cycle is an integral number submultiple of the measured edge interval. The method includes counting in synchronization with the multiplication clock signal, and determining whether the crank signal is abnormal. The method includes switching the input signal to the edge interval measuring unit from the crank signal to the cam signal when it is determined that the crank signal is abnormal. The measuring step measures an edge interval of temporally adjacent same-directed edges of the cam signal. The method includes identifying the angular positions of the crankshaft based on the cam signal to initialize a count value of the count unit based on the identified angular positions of the crankshaft. The method includes changing the integral number based on the predetermined waveform pattern of the cam signal to shift the count value as in the case of the crank signal inputting to the measuring step.

Other objects and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the structure of an engine control unit installed in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating an example of the structure of an input control circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating an example of the structure of an angle clock generating circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a time chart schematically illustrating crank signal, first and second cam signals, and output signals according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an input-signal diagnosing task for the crank signal as an input signal to the angle clock circuit according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a time-synchronized task according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an angle-counter control task for changing a count value of an angular counter according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a time chart schematically illustrating the crank signal, the first and second cam signals, and the output signals, and changes of count values of the counters according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a cam interrupt service according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an angle-counter control task based on an ORed signal of first and second cam-edge synchronized signals according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a time chart schematically illustrating the crank signal, the first and second cam signals, and the output signals, and changes of count values of the counters according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an angle-counter control task based on a first cam-edge synchronized signal according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a time chart schematically illustrating the crank signal, the first and second cam signals, and the output signals, and changes of count values of the counters according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an angle-counter control task based on a second cam-edge synchronized signal according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a compare-match interruption service according to the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is a time chart schematically illustrating the crank signal, the first and second cam signals, and the output signals, and changes of count values of the counters according to the embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment, the invention is applied to an engine control unit, and the engine control unit is operative to control a V-type four-cycle internal combustion engine having the first to the n-th cylinders (n is, for example, an even number) and installed in a vehicle.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of an electronic control unit 1 , referred to as ECU 1 , which is installed in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the ECU 1 according to the embodiment is provided with a microcomputer 13 , an input circuit 15 electrically connected to the microcomputer 13 , and an input control circuit 17 electrically connected to the microcomputer 13 and the input circuit 15 . The ECU 1 is also provided with an angle clock generating circuit 19 having an input terminal 20 and electrically connected to the input control circuit 17 and the microcomputer 13 .

The input circuit 15 is electrically connected to a crankshaft sensor 21 , a first camshaft sensor 22 , and a second camshaft sensor 23 .

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the crankshaft sensor 21 is preferably provided with a reluctor disc 21 a having a plurality of teeth 21 b substantially spaced at angle intervals of, for example, 10 degrees around the periphery of the disc 21 a . The reluctor disc 21 a is mounted on a crankshaft CS serving as the engine's main shaft for delivering rotary motion taken from the reciprocating pistons and rods. The reluctor disc 21 a has, for example, a tooth-missing portion 21 c composed of, for example, two adjacent teeth missing. The tooth-missing portion 21 c corresponds to a specified position of the rotational position of the crankshaft CS.

The crankshaft sensor 21 is also preferably provided with a pickup 21 d operative to magnetically detect the teeth 21 b of the reluctor disc 21 a on the crankshaft CS as it rotates to generate a crank signal based on the detected result. The crank signal is input to the input circuit 15 .

For details, the crank signal input to the input circuit 15 consists of a train of crank pulses.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 , the crank signal continuously changes from its low level (base level) to its high level (maximum level) and then to its low level every time the reluctor disc 21 a (crankshaft CS) rotates at the crank angle (CA) of 10 degrees during a first period for which the rotational position of the crankshaft CS is not located at the specified position.

On the other hand, during a second period for which the rotational position of the crankshaft CS is located at the specified position, the pulse time interval between the same-directed edges, for example, active trailing edges of temporally adjacent crank pulses is an integral multiple of the pulse time interval between the active trailing edges of temporally adjacent crank pulses during the first period. In the embodiment, the pulse time interval between the trailing edges of temporally adjacent crank pulses during the second period is three times of the pulse time interval between the trailing edges of temporally adjacent crank pulses during the first period.

Specifically, the crank signal is composed of a train of the crank pulses whose active trailing edges are spaced at time intervals each corresponding to the crank angle of 10 degrees during the first period for which the rotational position of the crankshaft is not located at the specified position.

The crank signal is also composed of pulse-missing portions K. The pulse-missing portions K correspond to the tooth-missing portions 21 c of the crankshaft sensor 21 , respectively. In each of the pulse-missing portions K of the crank signal, a predetermined number of crank pulses, for example two, are skipped during the second period for which the rotational position of the crankshaft CS is located at the specified position. Specifically, the pulse time interval between the trailing edges of temporally adjacent crank pulses during the second period corresponds to the crank angle of 30 degrees. The pulse-missing portions K appear once every the crank angle of 360 degrees, in other words, twice per one engine cycle (the crank angle of 720 degrees).

Specifically, the pulse-missing portions K include first pulse-missing portions K 1 . A first pulse-missing portion K 1 starts from the trailing edge of a crank pulse at the end of a first period to the next temporally adjacent trailing edge of the next temporally adjacent crank pulse at the start of the next one. The next temporally adjacent trailing edge corresponds to a position of the crankshaft CS the crank angle of 10 degrees before TDC (Top Dead Center) of the first cylinder. The position of the crankshaft CS the crank angle of 10 degrees before TDC of the first cylinder will be referred to as # 1 BTDC. The crank position of the crankshaft CS corresponding to the # 1 BTDC is defined as a reference position.

The pulse missing portions K also include second pulse-missing portions K 2 . A second pulse-missing portion K 2 starts from a trailing edge of a crank pulse at the end of a first period to the next temporally adjacent trailing edge of the next temporally adjacent crank pulse at the start of the next one. The next temporally adjacent trailing edge corresponds to a rotational position of the crankshaft CS the crank angle of 360 degrees (360° CA) after the # 1 BTDC.

The first camshaft sensor 22 is operative to magnetically detect rotational positions of a first camshaft CM 1 as it rotates at one-half speed of the crankshaft CS to generate a first cam signal based on the detected result. The first cam signal is input to the input circuit 15 .

Similarly, the second camshaft sensor 23 is operative to magnetically detect rotational positions of a second camshaft CM 2 as it rotates at one-half speed of the crankshaft CS to generate a second cam signal based on the detected result. The second cam signal is input to the input circuit 15 .

The first and second camshafts CM 1 and CM 2 are configured to be driven by gears, belts, or a chain from the crankshaft CS and containing a series of cams for opening and closing the intake and exhaust valves, respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the first cam signal consists of a series of transient changes between high and low levels (maximum and base levels) in response to rotation of the first camshaft CM 1 . Similarly, the second cam signal consists of a series of transient changes between high and low levels (maximum and base levels) in response to rotation of the second camshaft CM 2 .

Specifically, the first cam signal is configured to varies from the high level to the low level when the crankshaft CS is located at the crank position, which is shown in FIG. 4 by P 1 , the crank angle of 90 degrees before the # 1 BTDC, and holds the low level during a period corresponding to the crank angle of 90 degrees from the crank position P 1 . Thereafter, the first cam signal varies from the low level to the high level and holds the high level during a period corresponding to the crank angle of 30 degrees. Subsequently, the first cam signal varies from the high level to the low level and holds the low level during a period corresponding to the crank angle of 30 degrees, and varies from the low level to the high level and holds the high level during a period corresponding to the crank angle of 30 degrees. Thereafter, the first cam signal varies from the high level to the low level and holds the low level during a period corresponding to the crank angle of 390 degrees, and varies from the low level to the high level and holds the high level during a period corresponding to the crank angle of 30 degrees.

Thereafter, the first cam signal varies from the high level to the low level and holds the low level during a period corresponding to the crank angle of 30 degrees, and varies from the low level to the high level and holds the high level during a period corresponding to the crank angle of 30 degrees. Thereafter, the first cam signal varies from the high level to the low level when the crankshaft CS is located at the crank position P 1 the crank angle of 90 degrees before the # 1 BTDC. The first cam signal is configured to repeat the variation set forth above depending on rotation of the first camshaft CM 1 (the crankshaft CS).

The variation of the second cam signal is out of phase with that of the first cam signal by the crank angle of 360 degrees.

The crank position P 1 is a reference position of the first cam signal, and the crank position the crank angle of 360 degrees apart from the reference position P 1 is a reference position of the second cam signal, which will be referred to as P 2 .

Note that a system clock consisting of a train of periodic clock pulses is generated within the ECU 11 , such as the microcomputer 13 . The system clock is designed such that the clock cycle thereof is set to be sufficiently shorter than the minimum value of one pulse cycle of the crank signal; this minimum value of the pulse cycle means a time corresponds to the crank angle of 10 degrees in the case where the engine is operated at the maximum speed.

The input control circuit 17 is configured to selectively input any one of the crank signal, the first cam signal, the second cam signal, and the ORed signal of the first and second cam signals to the input terminal 20 of the angle clock generating circuit 19 depending on a control signal sent from the microcomputer 13 .

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , the input control circuit 17 is composed of an edge-synchronizing module 31 and a selector module 33 .

The edge-synchronizing module 31 has a first unit 31 a operative to generate a signal with a rising edge being synchronized with an active trailing edge in the crank signal.

Specifically, the first unit 31 a includes an inverter 35 operative to invert the crank signal in level to output the level-inverted crank signal, and a shift register 36 operative to store the output signal (the level-inverted crank signal) by one period of the system clock and to output the one-period delayed signal.

The first unit 31 a also includes an inverter 37 operative to invert the output signal (one-period delayed signal) from the shift register 36 in level to output the level-inverted signal. The first unit 31 a further includes an AND gate 38 operative to AND the output signal from the inverter 35 and that from the inverter 37 and to output the ANDed signal to the selector module 33 .

As set forth above, the ANDed signal, which rises when an trailing edge appears in the crank signal and holds the high level during one period of the system clock, is output from the AND gate 38 to the selector module 33 . The ANDed signal output from the AND gate 38 will be referred to as crank-edge synchronized signal.

The edge-synchronizing module 31 also has a second unit 31 b operative to generate a signal with a rising edge being synchronized with a level-inversion of the first cam signal. In other words, the second unit 31 b is operative to generate a signal with a riding edge being synchronized with when the first cam signal varies from one of the high and low levels to the other.

Specifically, the second unit 31 b includes a shift register 39 operative to store the first cam signal by one period of the system clock and to output the one-period delayed signal. The second unit 31 b also includes an Exclusive OR (XOR) gate 40 operative to XOR the output signal from the shift register 39 and the first cam signal to output the XORed signal to the selector module 33 .

As set forth above, the XORed signal, which rises when a level-inversion appears in the first cam signal and holds the high level during one period of the system clock, is output from the XOR gate 40 to the selector module 33 . The XORed signal output from the XOR gate 40 will be referred to as first cam-edge synchronized signal.

The edge-synchronizing module 31 further has a third unit 31 c operative to generate a signal with a rising edge being synchronized with a level-inversion of the second cam signal. In other words, the third unit 31 c is operative to generate a signal with a riding edge being synchronized with when the second cam signal varies from one of the high and low levels to the other.

Specifically, the third unit 31 c includes a shift register 41 operative to store the second cam signal by one period of the system clock and to output the one-period delayed signal. The third unit 31 c also includes an XOR gate 42 operative to XOR the output signal from the shift register 41 and the second cam signal to output the XORed signal to the selector module 33 .

As set forth above, the XORed signal, which rises when a level-inversion appears in the second cam signal and holds the high level during one period of the system clock, is output from the XOR gate 42 to the selector module 33 . The XORed signal output from the XOR gate 42 will be referred to as second cam-edge synchronized signal.

The selector module 33 includes an OR gate 43 with three inputs, and a first switch 44 configured to be turned on or off depending on the control signal sent from the microcomputer 13 to determine whether the crank-edge synchronized signal output from the AND gate 38 is input to the OR gate 43 . The selector module 33 also includes a second switch 45 configured to be turned on or off depending on the control signal sent from the microcomputer 13 to determine whether the first cam-edge synchronized signal output from the XOR gate 40 is input to the OR gate 43 . The selector module 33 further includes a third switch 46 configured to be turned on or off depending on the control signal sent from the microcomputer 13 to determine whether the second cam-edge synchronized signal output from the XOR gate 42 is input to the OR gate 43 . An output signal from the OR gate 43 is configured to be input to the input terminal 20 of the angle clock generating circuit 19 as an output signal from the input control circuit 17 .

In the input control circuit 17 set forth above, if the control signal causes the first switch 44 to be only turned on, the crank-edge synchronized signal is only selected to be input to the OR gate 43 . This allows the crank-edge synchronized signal output from the AND gate 38 to be input to the input terminal 20 of the angle clock generating circuit 19 as the output signal from the input control circuit 17 . The output signal from the input control circuit 17 in this state is represented as the “SELECTION OF CRANK-EDGE SYNCHRONIZED SIGNAL” in FIG. 4 . Specifically, in this state, the crank-edge synchronized signal including timing information indicative of each trailing edge in the crank signal is selected from the crank-edge synchronized signal, and the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals to be input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

If the control signal causes the third switch 46 to be only turned on, the second cam-edge synchronized signal is only selected to be input to the OR gate 43 . This allows the second cam-edge synchronized signal output from the XOR gate 42 to be input to the input terminal 20 of the angle clock generating circuit 19 as the output signal from the input control circuit 17 . The output signal from the input control circuit 17 in this state is represented as the “SELECTION OF SECOND CAM-EDGE SYNCHRONIZED SIGNAL” in FIG. 4 . Specifically, in this state, the second cam-edge synchronized signal including timing information indicative of each of the rising and trailing edges in the second cam signal is selected from the crank-edge synchronized signal, and the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals to be input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

If the control signal causes the second switch 45 to be only turned on, the first cam-edge synchronized signal is only selected to be input to the OR gate 43 . This permits the first cam-edge synchronized signal output from the XOR gate 40 to be input to the input terminal 20 of the angle clock generating circuit 19 as the output signal from the input control circuit 17 . The output signal from the input control circuit 17 in this state is represented as the “SELECTION OF FIRST CAM-EDGE SYNCHRONIZED SIGNAL” in FIG. 4 . Specifically, in this state, the first cam-edge synchronized signal including timing information indicative of each of the rising and trailing edges in the first cam signal is selected from the crank-edge synchronized signal, and the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals to be input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

If the control signal causes the second and third switches 45 and 46 to be only turned on, the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals are selected to be input to the OR gate 43 . This allows the OR gate 43 to OR the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals output from the XOR gates 40 and 42 so that the ORed signal output from the OR gate 43 is input to the input terminal 20 of the angle clock generating circuit 19 as the output signal from the input control circuit 17 . The output signal from the input control circuit 17 in this state is represented as the “SELECTION OF BOTH FIRST AND SECOND CAM-EDGE SYNCHRONIZED SIGNALS” in FIG. 4 . Specifically, in this state, the ORed signal including timing information indicative of each of the rising and trailing edges in each of the first and second cam signals is input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

Note that each of periods for which the output signals from the input control circuit 17 are in the high level is equivalent to one clock cycle of the system clock, and one clock cycle of the system clock is sufficiently shorter than one pulse cycle of the crank signal. In FIG. 4 , however, each period for which the output signal from the input control circuit 17 is in the high level is illustrated to be longer than it really is because of easily illustrating the relationship between the crank signal, the first and second cam signals, and the output signals from the input control circuit 17 .

Moreover, a reason for output of the ORed signal of the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals by the input control circuit 17 is as follows.

Specifically, it is assumed that the input control circuit 17 merely outputs an ORed signal of the first and second cam signals. In this assumption, if periods for which the first and second cam signals are in the high levels are superimposed on each other, part of timing information indicative of some of the rising and trailing edges in the first and second cam signals may be deleted. The input control circuit 17 therefore outputs the ORed signal of the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals in order to prevent some of the rising and trailing edges in the first and second cam signals from being deleted.

The microcomputer 13 includes a memory that has stored therein software S consisting of the sets of programs. The software S (the sets of programs) causes the microcomputer 13 to individually diagnose whether the crank signal, the first cam signal, and the second cam signal are normally input to the ECU 11 , and to individually switch the on/off state of each of the first to third switches 44 to 46 based on the diagnosed result.

Specifically, if it is determined that the crank signal is normally input to the ECU 11 , the microcomputer 13 only turns the first switch 44 on, permitting the crank-edge synchronized signal output from the input control circuit 17 to be input to the input terminal 20 of the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

If it is determined that the first and second cam signals are normally input to the ECU 11 but the crank signal is not, the microcomputer 13 turns both the second and third switches 45 and 46 on with the first switch being in off state. This permits the ORed signal of the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals output from the input control circuit 17 to be input to the input terminal 20 of the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

When it is determined that the crank signal and the second cam signal are abnormally input to the ECU 11 but the first cam signal is normally input thereto, the microcomputer 13 only turns the second switch 45 on. This permits the first cam-edge synchronized signal output from the input control circuit 17 to be input to the input terminal 20 of the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

If it is determined that the crank signal and the first cam signal are abnormally input to the ECU 11 but the second cam signal is normally input thereto, the microcomputer 13 only turns the third switch 46 on. This permits the second cam-edge synchronized signal output from the input control circuit 17 to be input to the input terminal 20 of the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

The switching operations of the output signals from the input control circuit 17 by the microcomputer 13 in accordance with the sets of programs will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 .

The angle clock generating circuit 19 is operative to receive a signal input to the input terminal 20 as an input signal. The angle clock generating circuit 19 is operative to generate an angle clock signal consisting of a train of clock pulses whose clock cycle corresponds to a constant crank angle smaller than the crank angle corresponding to a time interval between active adjacent trailing edges of the crank pulses of the crank signal. In the embodiment, the constant crank angle corresponding to the clock cycle of the angle clock signal is set to the crank angle of 1 degree, which is smaller than the crank angle of 10 degrees corresponding to the time interval between active adjacent trailing edges of crank pulses of the crank signal.

Moreover, the angle clock generating circuit 19 is operative to cause an angular counter indicative of the crank position of the crankshaft CS to count up in synchronization with the angle clock signal with the resolution of the crank angle of 1 degree.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , the angle clock generating circuit 19 includes a pulse-edge interval measuring module 51 operative to measure a pulse-edge interval between same-directed edges, such as active rising edges, of temporally adjacent pulses in the input signal. The angle clock generating circuit 19 also includes a multiplication storing module 52 operative to have stored therein an angle-clock multiplication (a positive integer) determined by, for example, the software S of the microcomputer 13 .

Furthermore, the angle clock generating circuit 19 includes a one angle-clock time storing module 53 operative to store therein an one angle-clock time obtained by dividing a measured pulse-edge interval by the angle-clock multiplication.

In addition, the angle clock generating circuit 19 includes a pre-correction angle-clock output module 54 operative to output a clock pulse of a pre-correction angle clock signal whose clock cycle corresponds to the obtained one angle-clock time stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 .

The pulse-edge interval measuring module 51 measures a pulse-edge interval between active rising edges of temporally adjacent pulses in the input signal in synchronization with the system clock. Specifically, the pulse-edge interval measuring module 51 counts, as a pulse-edge interval, the number of the clock pulses of the system clock appearing between active rising edges of temporally adjacent pulses in the input signal.

The pre-correction angle-clock output module 54 measures a one angle-clock time, in other words, a clock cycle of the pre-correction angle clock signal, stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 . Specifically, the pre-correction angle-clock output module 54 outputs a clock pulse of the pre-correction angle clock signal each time the number of the clock pulses of the system clock corresponding to a value (one angle-clock time) stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 appears.

The value stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 is automatically updated each time the input signal from the input terminal 20 rises. The software S of the microcomputer 13 is operative to send an enabling update signal to the one angle-clock time storing module 53 . The enabling update signal allows switching of whether to carry out the automatic updating.

In addition, the angle clock generating circuit 19 includes a reference angular counter 55 configured to count up by, for example, 1 in synchronization with the pre-correction angle clock signal as clock source. The angle clock generating circuit 19 also includes a guard event counter 56 for guarding an upper limit value of the reference angular counter 55 .

Moreover, the angle clock generating circuit 19 includes an angular counter 57 operative to cause its count value to automatically follow the count value of the reference counter 55 in synchronization with the system clock. The angle clock generating circuit 19 also includes an angle-clock output module 58 operative to output a clock pulse in the angle clock signal in synchronization with each count-up of the angular counter 57 .

The guard event counter 56 is incremented each time the input signal sent from the input terminal 20 rises. The upper limit value of the reference angular counter 55 cannot exceed a guard value given by the product of the count value of the guard event counter 56 and the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 .

The angular counter 57 is a counter whose count value represents the crank position of the crankshaft with the resolution of the crank angle of 1 degree. Specifically, the angular counter 57 counts up in synchronization with the system clock when its count value is smaller than the count value of the reference angular counter 55 so that it automatically stops when its count value coincides with the count value of the reference angular counter 55 . For this reason, the angular counter 57 basically carries out count-up operations in response to the pre-correction angle clock signal. A count-up timing of the angular counter 57 is synchronized with an output timing of a clock pulse in the system clock after change of the count value of the reference angular counter 55 . Specifically, the angular counter 57 is configured such that a change timing of its count value is synchronized with the system clock. The angle clock is output from the angle clock output module 58 in synchronization with each count-up of the angular counter 57 .

Still furthermore, the angle clock generating circuit 19 includes a free-running counter 59 designed to:

count from zero to a predetermined value in synchronization with the system clock;

then roll over to zero; and

begin counting again.

The free-running counter 59 is also designed to be cleared each time the input signal sent from the input terminal 20 rises.

In addition, the angle clock generating circuit 19 includes an interrupt occurrence count-value storing module 60 . The interrupt occurrence count-value storing module 60 has stored therein a predetermined interruption occurrence count-value. Coincidence of the count value of the free-running counter 59 with the interruption occurrence count-value stored in the storing module 60 allows a compare-match interruption request to the microcomputer 13 to be generated.

In addition, the microcomputer 13 includes a non-edge period measuring counter 13 a with an initial count value of zero for measuring a non-edge period in the crank signal, and the first and second cam signals. The microcomputer 13 also includes a crank position counter 13 b configured to count up by the crank angle of 10 degrees in synchronization with the crank signal. Moreover, the microcomputer 13 includes a cam position counter 13 c configured to count up by the crank angle of 30 degrees for representing the rotational positions of the first and second camshaft CM 1 and CM 2 . In other words, the cam position counter 13 c represents the crank position identified by the first or second cam signal with the resolution of the crank angle of 30 degrees.

The counters 13 a to 13 c can be implemented by hardware components of the computer 13 or software being installed therein.

The memory of the microcomputer 13 has stored therein application programs (crank-signal synchronized control programs) P. The application programs P cause the microcomputer 13 to:

grasp the crank position of the crankshaft CS based on the count value of the angular counter 57 ; and

carry out engine control, such as injector control (fuel injection control), ignition timing control, and pump control using the grasped crank position (count value).

For example, the microcomputer 17 can continue to output a drive signal to an actuator until the count value of the angular counter 57 rises from a given value to another value. Moreover, the microcomputer 17 can continue to output a drive signal to an actuator until a predetermined period of time has elapsed from when the count value of the angular counter 57 reaches a given value.

When the engine suddenly decelerates during an arbitral pulse cycle (pulse time interval) in the input signal, the angle clock generating circuit 19 permits the count value of the angular counter 57 to be terminated at the guard value of the guard event counter 56 until the next riding edge is generated in the input signal. This makes it possible to prevent the count value of the angular counter 57 from being shifted to be large from the angle-clock multiplication.

When the engine suddenly accelerates during an arbitral pulse cycle in the crank signal, the angle clock generating circuit 19 permits the count value of the angular counter 57 to be forcibly incremented in synchronization with the system clock. This allows the count value of the angular counter 57 to be reached up to the guard value set at the current rising edge in the input signal.

That is, the angle clock generating circuit 19 can prevent dropouts of the operations, such as injecting operation, igniting operation, and the like, being synchronized with change of the count value of the angular counter 57 . The structure and the operations of the angle clock generating circuit 19 are taught in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-200747 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,998B1 corresponding to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-214790, and therefore the disclosure of which is incorporated totally herein by reference.

Next, operations executed by the microcomputer 13 will be described hereinafter.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an input-signal diagnosing task for the crank signal as the input signal in accordance with the software S. The input-signal diagnosing task is executed by the microcomputer 13 at regular time intervals of Tc as a time-synchronized task in accordance with the software S.

Specifically, when starting to execute the input-signal diagnosing task, in step S 110 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the engine speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Na. If it is determined that the engine speed is less than the predetermined value (the determination in step S 110 is NO), the microcomputer 13 exits the input-signal diagnosing task.

In step S 110 , the engine speed can be calculated by predetermined engine speed calculating operations using the crank angle. For example, the microcomputer 13 measures the time interval of the crank angle of 360 degrees corresponding to the occurrence cycle of the pulse missing portions K, and calculates the engine speed based on the measured time interval. The pulse missing portions K can be detected in, for example, the following manner. Specifically, intervals between trailing edges between temporally adjacent crank pulses are measured, and when a current measured interval is more than the product of a previous measured interval and a predetermined pulse-missing detecting ratio of, for example, 2, it is determined that the current measured interval corresponds to one of the pulse missing portions K.

In contrast, if it is determined that the engine speed is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Na (the determination in step S 110 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 120 . In step S 120 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether an active trailing edge appears in the crank signal during a regular time interval Tc from the previous input-signal diagnosing task to this current input-signal diagnosing task.

If it is determined that an active trailing edge appears in the crank signal during the regular time interval Tc (the determination in step S 120 is YES), the microcomputer 13 stores in the memory information representing that the crank signal is normal as the diagnosed result in step S 130 . Then, the microcomputer 13 clears the count value of the non-edge period measuring counter 13 a in step S 140 , exiting the input-signal diagnosing task.

In step S 120 , if it is determined that no active trailing edge appears in the crank signal during the regular time interval Tc (the determination in step S 120 is NO), in step S 150 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the count value of the non-edge period measuring counter 13 a exceeds a predetermined value Nb.

If it is determined that the non-edge period measuring counter 13 a does not exceed the predetermined value Nb (the determination in step S 150 is NO), the microcomputer 13 increments the count value of the non-edge period measuring counter 13 a , exiting the input-signal diagnosing task.

When it is determined that the non-edge period measuring counter 13 a exceeds the predetermined value Nb (the determination in step S 150 is YES), the microcomputer 13 stores in the memory information representing that the crank signal is abnormal as the diagnosed result in step S 170 , exiting the input-signal diagnosing task.

Specifically, in the input-signal diagnosing task shown in FIG. 5 , when the engine speed is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Na (the determination in step S 110 is YES), if no active trailing edge appears in the crank signal after a predetermined period of time has elapsed (the determinations in steps S 120 and S 150 are NO), the crank signal is determined to be abnormal (see step S 170 ). Note that the predetermined period of time is represented as the product of the regular time interval Tc and the predetermined value Nb (Tc×Nb), and that an active trailing edge is supposed to appear in the crank signal during the predetermined period of time.

Similarly, the microcomputer 13 carries out the input-signal diagnosing task illustrated in FIG. 5 for the first and second cam signals as the input signal, thereby determining whether the first and second cam signals are normal.

Next, FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a time-synchronized task for selecting any one of the crank-edge synchronized signal, the first cam-edge synchronized signal, the second cam-edge synchronized signal, and the ORed signal of the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals. The time-synchronized task is executed by the microcomputer 13 at regular time intervals concurrently with the input-signal diagnosing task in accordance with the software S.

When starting to execute the time-synchronized task, in step S 210 , the microcomputer 13 refers to the information stored in the memory and representing the diagnosed result for the crank signal to determine whether the crank signal is abnormal based on the referred result.

If it is determined that the crank signal is normal (the determination in step S 210 is NO), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 220 to send, to each of the first to third switches 44 to 46 , the control signal for causing the first switch 44 to be only turned on, exiting the time-synchronized task. This allows the crank-edge synchronized signal to be selected as the input signal to the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

If it is determined that the crank signal is abnormal (the determination in step S 210 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 230 . In step S 230 , the microcomputer 13 refers to the information stored in the memory and representing the diagnosed result for the first cam signal to determine whether the first cam signal is normal based on the referred result.

If it is determined that the first cam signal is normal (the determination in step S 230 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 240 . In step S 240 , the microcomputer 13 refers to the information stored in the memory and representing the diagnosed result for the second cam signal to determine whether the second cam signal is normal based on the referred result in step S 240 .

If it is determined that the second cam signal is normal (the determination in step S 240 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 250 . In step S 250 , the microcomputer 13 sends, to each of the first to third switches 44 to 46 , the control signal for causing both the second and third switches 45 and 46 to be turned on with the first switch 44 being in off state, going to step S 290 . This allows the ORed signal of the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals to be selected as the input signal to the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

In contrast, when it is determined that the second cam signal is abnormal (the determination in step S 240 is NO), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 260 . In step S 260 , the microcomputer 13 sends, to each of the first to third switches 44 to 46 , the control signal for causing the second switch 45 to be only turned on, going to step S 290 . This allows the first cam-edge synchronized signal to be selected as the input signal to the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

When it is determined that the first cam signal is abnormal (the determination in step S 230 is NO), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 270 . In step S 270 , like step S 240 , the microcomputer 13 refers to the information stored in the memory and representing the diagnosed result for the second cam signal to determine whether the second cam signal is normal based on the referred result.

If it is determined that the second cam signal is normal (the determination in step S 270 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 280 . In step S 280 , the microcomputer 13 sends, to each of the first to third switches 44 to 46 , the control signal for causing the third switch 46 to be only turned on, going to step S 290 . This allows the second cam-edge synchronized signal to be selected as the input signal to the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

If it is determined that the second cam signal is abnormal (the determination in step S 270 is NO), the microcomputer 13 determines that both the first and second cam signals are abnormal, thereby exiting the time-synchronized task.

On the other hand, in step S 290 to which the microcomputer 13 shifts from steps S 250 , S 260 , and S 280 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the determination that the crank signal is abnormal in step S 210 is the first time. If it is determined that the determination that the crank signal is abnormal in step S 210 is not the first time, then the microcomputer 13 exits the time-synchronized task.

In contrast, if it is determined that the determination that the crank signal is abnormal in step S 210 is the first time, the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 295 . In step S 295 , the microcomputer 13 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to, for example, 30, sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to zero, and thereafter, exits the time-synchronized task. Note that, if the crank signal is normal, the initial value of the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 has been set to 10 (normal value).

Next, FIG. 7 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an angle-counter control task for changing the count value of the angular counter 57 by the crank angle of 1 degree based on the crank signal. The angle-counter control task is an interrupt service that is restarted each time a trailing edge appears in the crank signal in accordance with the software S.

When starting to execute the angle-counter control task based on the crank signal, in step S 310 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the current crank position corresponding to a current trailing edge of the crank signal is located at the reference position (# 1 BTDC).

In step S 310 , for example, when detecting a pulse-missing portion K, the microcomputer 13 determines whether an edge (rising edge or trailing edge) appears in the first cam signal between the point of time corresponding to the crank angle of 120 degrees before the pulse-missing portion detecting timing and the point of time corresponding to the pulse-missing portion detecting timing. When it is determined that an edge appears in the first cam signal, the microcomputer 13 determines that the currently detected one of the pulse-missing portions K is one of the first pulse missing portions K 1 , and therefore, determines that the current crank position corresponds to the reference position (# 1 BTDC).

When it is determined that the current crank position corresponds to the reference position (# 1 BTDC) (the determination in step S 310 is YES), the microcomputer 13 initializes the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 to an initial value corresponding to the # 1 BTDC, such as “1” in step S 315 . Subsequently, in step S 320 , the microcomputer 13 initializes the count value of the crank position counter 13 b , which counts up by the crank angle of 10 degrees, to “1”, proceeding to step S 330 .

If it is determined that the current crank position is not the reference position of the crank signal (the determination in step S 310 is NO), the microcomputer 13 jumps to step S 325 and increments the count value of the crank position counter 13 b by 1, going to step S 330 .

In step S 330 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is 34 or 70 corresponding to the start position of one of the first pulse missing portions K 1 or one of the second pulse missing portions K 2 . If it is determined that the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is not 34 or 70 (the determination in step S 330 is NO), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 335 and sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 10 as the normal value.

After the operation in step S 335 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is 37 in step S 340 . If it is determined that the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is not 37 (the determination in step S 340 is NO), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 345 and determines whether the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is 1 in step S 345 . When it is determined that the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is not 1 (the determination in step S 345 is NO), then the microcomputer 13 exits the angular counter control process.

In contrast, when it is determined that the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is 1 (the determination in step S 345 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 350 and then sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 1, exiting the angular counter control process.

If it is determined that the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is 37 (the determination in step S 340 is YES), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 355 , and sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 37, exiting the angular counter control process.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is 34 or 70 (the determination in step S 330 is YES), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 360 , and then sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 30 three times as great as 10 (normal value).

After the operation in step S 360 , the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 365 and determines whether the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is 34 in step S 365 . If it is determined that the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is 34 (the determination in step S 365 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 370 . In step S 370 , the microcomputer 13 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 12, and sets the count value of the crank position counter 13 b to 36, exiting the angular counter control process.

When it is determined that the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is not 34 but 70 (the determination in step S 365 is NO), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 375 . In step S 375 , the microcomputer 13 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 24, and sets the count value of the crank position counter 13 b to 72, exiting the angular counter control process.

Specifically, when the crank signal is normally input to the ECU 11 , the time-synchronized task illustrated in FIG. 6 allows the crank-edge synchronized signal to be input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 from the input control circuit 17 . As a result, the angular counter control task illustrated in FIG. 7 allows the count value of the angular counter 57 to vary illustrated in FIG. 8 .

As illustrated in FIG. 8 , when the crank position reaches the # 1 BTDC as the reference position in one cycle (the crank angle of 720 degrees) of the engine, the operations of the microcomputer 13 in steps S 315 and S 320 permit the count values of the reference angular counter 55 , angular counter 57 , and the crank position counter 13 b to be initialized to 1. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 335 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 10. Moreover, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 350 initializes the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 1.

Thereafter, the crank position counter 13 b counts up by 1 every time the crank signal falls based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 325 . Operations of the microcomputer 13 during the time interval between the timing of # 1 BTDC and the timing when the crank signal firstly falls after the timing of # 1 BTDC, in other words, the time interval for which the count value of the crank position counter 13 b shifts to 2 from 1 will be described hereinafter.

After the count value of the crank position counter 13 b reaches 2, a clock pulse of the pre-correction angle clock signal is output from the pre-correction angle-clock output module 54 every time of “Tp/10” stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 as the one angle-clock time. The Tp represents a pulse-edge interval between temporally adjacent active trailing edges in the crank signal, which is measured by the pulse-edge interval measuring module 51 every crank angle of 10 degrees change. The “10” represents the angle-clock multiplication set by the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 335 . Specifically, the Tp/10 corresponds to a time interval corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree.

The count value of the reference angular counter 55 is incremented by 1 in synchronization with each clock pulse of the pre-correction angle clock, and the count value of the angular counter 57 follows the count value of the reference counter 55 so as to be incremented by 1. This allows a clock pulse in the angle clock signal to be output from the angle clock output module 58 in synchronization with each count-up of the angular counter 57 . In other words, this allows a clock pulse in the angle clock signal to be output from the angle clock output module 58 every time interval corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree.

Moreover, the count value of the guard event counter 56 is incremented by 1 every time the crank signal falls (the crank-edge synchronized signal input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 rises). This allows the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 not to exceed the guard value based on the count value of the guard event counter 56 that the count values of the counters 55 and 57 should take at the trailing timing of a next crank pulse in the crank signal (the riding edge of a next crank pulse in the crank-edge synchronized signal).

When the count value of the crank position counter 13 b reaches 34 corresponding to the crank position of the crankshaft CS the crank angle of 330 degrees after the # 1 BTDC, in other words, the start position of one of the second pulse missing portions K 2 , the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 360 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 30. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 370 increments the count value of the crank position counter 13 b by 2 corresponding to the two pulse-missing so that the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is corrected to 36 . Moreover, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 370 corrects the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 12. The correction is required due to change of the angle-clock multiplication from 10 to 30, and required to set the guard value to 360 during the time interval corresponding to one of the second pulse missing portions K 2 .

Note that, even if the angle-clock multiplication is changed to 30 by the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 360 , the one angle-clock time (Tp/10) stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 is updated in synchronization with only the trailing edge of a next crank pulse in the crank signal (the riding edge of a next crank pulse of the crank-edge synchronized signal). For this reason, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are carried out every time of Tp/10, respectively.

Thereafter, the count value of the crank position counter 13 b reaches 37 based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 325 ; this 37 corresponds to the end position of one of the second pulse missing portions K 2 , in other words, the crank position of the crankshaft CS the crank angle of 360 degrees after the # 1 BTDC. In this state, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 335 allows the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to be returned to 10. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 355 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 37 in order to set the guard value to 370 until the trailing edge of a next crank pulse in the crank signal (the riding edge of a next crank pulse in the crank-edge synchronized signal) appears.

For a time interval between the end position of one of the second pulse missing portions K 2 and the trailing edge of a next crank pulse in the crank signal, the value obtained by dividing a pulse edge interval corresponding to one of the second pulse missing portions K 2 and measured by the measuring module 51 by 30 has been stored in the one angle clock time storing module 53 as the one angle-clock time corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree. For this reason, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are carried out every time of Tp/30 during the time interval between the end position of one of the second pulse missing portions K 2 and the trailing edge of a next crank pulse, respectively.

Next, after the count value of the crank position counter 13 b reaches 38 in synchronization with the trailing edge of the next crank pulse in the crank signal based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 325 , count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are repeatedly carried out every time of Tp/10, respectively. In addition, after the count value of the crank position counter 13 b reaches 38 based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 325 , the count value of the guard event counter 56 is incremented by 1 every time the crank signal falls (the crank-edge synchronized signal rises).

This allows the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 not to exceed the guard value based on the count value of the guard event counter 56 that the cont values of the counters 55 and 57 should take at the trailing timing of a next crank pulse in the crank signal (the riding edge of a next crank pulse in the crank-edge synchronized signal). Moreover, the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is incremented by 1 in synchronization with each trailing edge of the crank signal (each rising edge of the crank-edge synchronized signal) based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 325 .

When the count value of the crank position counter 13 b reaches 70 corresponding to the crank position of the crankshaft CS the crank angle of 30 degrees before the # 1 BTDC, in other words, the start position of one of the first pulse missing portions K 1 , the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 360 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 30. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 375 increments the count value of the crank position counter 13 b by 2 corresponding to the two pulse-missing so that the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is corrected to 72. Moreover, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 375 corrects the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 24. The correction is required due to change of the angle-clock multiplication from 10 to 30, and required to set the guard value to 720 during the time interval corresponding to one of the first pulse missing portions K 1 .

Note that, even if the angle-clock multiplication is changed to 30 by the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 360 , the one angle-clock time (Tp/10) stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 is updated in synchronization with only the trailing edge of a next crank pulse in the crank signal (the riding edge of a next crank pulse of the crank-edge synchronized signal). For this reason, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are carried out every time of Tp/10, respectively.

Subsequently, when the crank signal falls, the crank position of the crankshaft CS is equivalent to the end position of one of the first pulse missing portions K 1 corresponding to the reference position of # 1 BTDC. The operations of the microcomputer 13 in steps S 315 and S 320 therefore allow the count values of the reference angular counter 55 , angular counter 57 , and the crank position counter 13 b to be initialized to 1. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 335 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 10. Moreover, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 350 initializes the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 1.

For a time interval between the timing corresponding to the # 1 BTDC and the trailing edge of a next crank pulse in the crank signal, in other words, the time interval for which the count value of the crank position counter 13 b shifts to 2 from 1, the value (Ta in FIG. 8 ) obtained by dividing a pulse edge interval (T in FIG. 8 ) corresponding to one of the first pulse missing portions K 1 and measured by the measuring module 51 by 30 has been stored in the one angle clock time storing module 53 as the one angle-clock time corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree. For this reason, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are carried out every time of Tp/30 during the time interval between the end position of one of the second pulse missing portions K 2 and the trailing edge of a next crank pulse, respectively.

Next, after the count value of the crank position counter 13 b reaches 2 in synchronization with the trailing edge of the next crank pulse in the crank signal based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 325 , count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are repeatedly carried out every time of Tp/10, respectively. In addition, after the count value of the crank position counter 13 b reaches 2 in synchronization with the trailing edge of the next crank pulse in the crank signal based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 325 , the count value of the guard event counter 56 is incremented by 1 every time the crank signal falls (the crank-edge synchronized signal rises).

This allows the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 not to exceed the guard value based on the count value of the guard event counter 56 that the cont values of the counters 55 and 57 should take at the trailing timing of a next crank pulse in the crank signal (the riding edge of a next crank pulse in the crank-edge synchronized signal). Moreover, the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is incremented by 1 in synchronization with each trailing edge of the crank signal (each rising edge of the crank-edge synchronized signal) based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 325 .

The operations set forth above allow the reference counter 55 and the angular counter 57 to count up by 1 every time interval corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree and to wrap around within the range of 1 to 720. This allows the count values of the reference counter 55 and the angular counter 57 to represent the crank position of the crankshaft CS with reference to the # 1 BTDC with the resolution of the crank angle of 1 degree.

Note that, in the operations of the microcomputer 13 in steps S 370 and S 375 , the count value of the crank position counter 13 b is incremented by 2 corresponding to the two pulse missing. This allows the count value of the crank position counter 13 b to warp around within the range of 1 to 72. For example, when generating events at constant crank-angle intervals, the crank position counter 13 b with the wrap around function allows at least part of the software S to be simply designed. For example, the part of the software S causes a computer to generate an event when the count value of the crank position counter is a positive integer multiple of a given value. In FIG. 8 , output intervals of the angle clock pulses of the angle clock signal are widely illustrated than they are, which are similar in FIGS. 11 , 13 , and 16 .

Next, FIG. 9 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a cam interrupt service that is restarted each time a rising edge or a trailing edge appears in any one of the first and second cam signals in accordance with the software S.

When starting to execute the cam inter service, in step S 410 , the microcomputer 13 refers to the information stored in the memory and representing the diagnosed result for the first and second cam signals. Next, in step S 410 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether both the first and second cam signals are selected, in other words, the ORed signal of the first and second cam signals is input to the input terminal 20 of the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

If it is determined that the first and second cam signals are selected (the determination in step S 410 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 420 to execute an angle-counter control task based on the ORed signal of the first and second cam signals, and after completion of the angle-counter control task based on the ORed signal, the microcomputer 13 exits the cam interruption service.

If it is determined that the first and second cam signals are not selected (the determination in step S 410 is NO), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 430 and determines whether the first cam signal is selected as the input signal to the angle clock generating circuit 19 . In other words, in step S 430 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the first cam-edge synchronized signal is input to the input terminal 20 of the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

If it is determined that the first cam signal is selected (the determination in step S 430 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 440 to execute an angle-counter control task based on the first cam-edge synchronized signal. After completion of the angle-counter control task based on the first cam-edge synchronized signal, the microcomputer 13 exits the cam interruption service.

If it is determined that the first cam signal is not selected (the determination in step S 430 is NO), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 450 and determines whether the second cam signal is selected as the input signal to the angle clock generating circuit 19 . In other words, in step S 450 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the second cam-edge synchronized signal is input to the input terminal 20 of the angle clock generating circuit 19 .

If it is determined that the second cam signal is not selected (the determination in step S 450 is NO), because no cam signals are selected as the input signal, the microcomputer 13 exits the cam interruption service.

In contrast, if it is determined that the second cam signal is selected (the determination in step S 450 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 460 to execute an angle-counter control task based on the second cam-edge synchronized signal. After completion of the angle-counter control task based on the second cam-edge synchronized signal, the microcomputer 13 exits the cam interruption service.

Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an angle-counter control task based on the ORed signal of the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals executed in step S 420 illustrated in FIG. 9 .

When starting to execute the angle-counter control task based on the ORed signal of the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals, in step S 510 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the current crank position corresponding to a current riding or trailing edge of the first or second cam signal is located at the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal the crank angle of 90 degrees before the # 1 BTDC.

In step S 510 , as a first cam signal determining process, the microcomputer 13 measures trailing-edge time intervals between temporally adjacent trailing edges in the first cam signal, and determines whether a ratio of a current measured value T 11 to a previous measured value T 12 is smaller than a predetermined value of, for example 1/5. When it is determined that the ratio is smaller than the predetermined value, the microcomputer 13 determines that the crank position corresponding to a current trailing edge in the first cam signal is located at the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal. Specifically, in step S 510 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the current crank position corresponding to a current riding or trailing edge of the first or second cam signal is located at the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal based on the result of the first cam signal determining process.

When it is determined that the current crank position corresponds to the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal (the determination in step S 510 is YES), the microcomputer 13 sets the count value of the reference angular counter 55 to a reference value of 630 corresponding to the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal in step S 515 . Next, in step S 520 , the microcomputer 13 sets the count value of the cam position counter 13 c to 24 corresponding to the last value, shifting to step S 540 . Note that, if the crank signal is normally input to the ECU 1 , the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is fixed to zero.

In contrast, when it is determined that the current crank position does not correspond to the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal (the determination in step S 510 is NO), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 525 and determines whether the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal has already being detected. In other words, in step S 525 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the affirmative determination in step S 510 has occurred one or more times after the affirmative determination in step S 410 of FIG. 9 .

If it is determined that the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal has not being detected yet (the determination in step S 525 is NO), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 530 . In step S 530 , the microcomputer 13 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to zero to allow the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 not to count up, exiting the angular counter control process based on the ORed signal.

In contrast, if it is determined that the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal has already being detected (the determination in step S 525 is YES), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 535 and increments the cam position counter 13 c by 1, proceeding to step S 540 .

In step S 540 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 10 or 24. If it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 10 or 24 (the determination in step S 540 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 545 and sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 90.

Next, in step S 550 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 10, and if it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is not 10 but 24 (the determination in step S 550 is NO), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 555 . In step S 555 , the microcomputer 13 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 8, exiting the angular counter control process based on the ORed signal.

When it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 10 (the determination in step S 550 is YES), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 560 . In step S 560 , the microcomputer 13 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 and that of the cam position counter 13 c to 4 and 12, respectively, exiting the angular counter control process based on the ORed signal.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is not any one of 10 and 24 (the determination in step S 550 is NO), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 565 and sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 30.

Thereafter, the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 570 and determines whether the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 13. If it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 13 (the determination in step S 570 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 575 and sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 13, exiting the angular counter control process based on the ORed signal.

In contrast, if it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is not 13 (the determination in step S 575 is NO), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 580 and determines whether the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 25 in step S 580 .

If it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is not 25 (the determination in step S 580 is NO), the microcomputer 13 exits the angular counter control process based on the ORed signal; otherwise (the determination in step S 580 is YES), proceeds to step S 585 . In step S 585 , the microcomputer 13 sets the count values of guard event counter 56 , the reference angular counter 55 , the angular counter 57 , and the cam position counter 13 c to 1, respectively, exiting the angular counter control process based on the ORed signal.

Specifically, when the crank signal is abnormally input to the ECU 11 , but the first and second cam signals are normally input thereto, the time-synchronized task illustrated in FIG. 6 allows the ORed signal of the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals to be input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 from the input control circuit 17 . The ORed signal of the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals will be referred to simply as ORed signal hereinafter. As a result, the angular counter control task based on the ORed signal illustrated in FIG. 10 in place of the task illustrated in FIG. 7 allows the count value of the angular counter 57 to vary illustrated in FIG. 11 .

As illustrated in FIG. 11 , when the change of the crank signal in level is stopped, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 295 of FIG. 6 sets the count value of the guard counter 56 to zero, thereby preventing the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 from counting up. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 295 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 30. The count value of the guard event counter 56 is kept to zero based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 530 of FIG. 10 until the crank position of the crankshaft CS reaches the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal.

Thereafter, when the crank position reaches the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal, the operations of the microcomputer 13 in steps S 515 and S 520 of FIG. 10 set the count value of the reference angular counter 55 to 630 corresponding to the reference position P 1 , and that of the cam position counter 13 c to 24. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 545 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 90, and that of the microcomputer 13 in step S 555 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 8. This permits the guard value for each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 to be set to 720 obtained by the product of 8 and 90. Set of the count value of the reference angular counter 55 to 630 allows the angular counter 57 to promptly count up by 1 from a fixed value of, for example, 520 up to 630 in synchronization with the system clock. This can prevent dropouts of the operations, such as injecting operation, igniting operation, and the like, being synchronized with change of the count value of the angular counter 57 .

Thereafter, until the crank position reaches the # 1 BTDC, a value has been stored in the one angle clock time storing module 53 as the one angle-clock time corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree. The stored value is obtained by dividing, by 30, the crank angle of 30 degrees corresponding to a pulse edge interval between the riding edge of a pulse in the ORed signal immediately before a next pulse and the riding edge of the next pulse corresponding to the reference position P 1 . For this reason, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are carried out every time of the crank angle of 1 degree until the crank position reaches the # 1 BTDC.

Subsequently, when the ORed signal rises, the crank position of the crankshaft CS corresponds to the # 1 BTDC. The operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 535 allows the count value of the cam position counter 13 c to be temporally changed from 24 to 25. Because the count value 25 of the cam position sensor 13 c allows the determination in step S 580 to be affirmative, the operation of the microcomputer 13 c in step S 585 initializes the count value of the cam position sensor 13 c to 1. Similarly, the operation of the microcomputer 13 c in step S 585 initializes the count values of the reference angular counter 55 , the angular counter 57 , and the guard event counter 56 to 1, respectively. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 c in step S 585 allows the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to be returned to 30.

For a time interval between the timing corresponding to the # 1 BTDC and the riding edge of a next pulse in the ORed signal, a value (Ta in FIG. 11 ) has been stored in the one angle clock time storing module 53 as the one angle-clock time corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree. The time interval represents a time interval for which the count value of the cam position counter 13 c shifts to 2 from 1, and the stored value is obtained by dividing a pulse edge interval (T in FIG. 11 ) between the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal and the # 1 BTDC by 90.

For this reason, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are carried out every time of the crank angle of 1 degree.

After the crank position reaches the # 1 BTDC, the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is incremented by 1 every time any one of a riding edge and a trailing edge appears in the ORed signal based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 535 .

Next, the count value of the cam position counter 13 c reaches 2 in synchronization with a riding edge or a trailing edge of the ORed signal appeared immediately after the timing at which the crank position reaches the # 1 BTDC. After the count value of the cam position counter 13 c reaches 2, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are repeatedly carried out every time of a pulse edge interval. The pulse edge interval is obtained by dividing, by 30, a time interval between temporally adjacent riding edges corresponding to the crank angle of 30 degrees. In addition, the guard event counter 56 counts up by 1 every time the ORed signal rises. This allows the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 not to exceed the guard value based on the count value of the guard event counter 56 that the cont values of the counters 55 and 57 should take at the riding timing of a next pulse in the ORed signal.

When the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is changed from 9 to 10, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 545 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 90. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 560 increments the count value of the cam position counter 13 c by 2 so that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is corrected to 12. Similarly, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 560 corrects the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 4. The corrections are required due to change of the angle-clock multiplication to 90, and required to set the guard value to 360 during the crank angle of 90 degrees from the crank position the crank angle of 270 degree after the # 1 BTDC.

Note that, even if the angle-clock multiplication is changed to 90 by the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 545 , the one angle-clock time stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 is updated in synchronization with only the riding edge of a next pulse in the ORed signal. For this reason, during a time interval corresponding to the crank angle of 90 degrees from the crank position the crank angle of 270 degree after the # 1 BTDC, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are carried out every time of a time interval obtained by dividing, by 30, an interval of temporally adjacent riding edges in the ORed signal immediately before the time interval.

Thereafter, the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is incremented by 1 every time any one of a riding edge and a trailing edge appears in the ORed signal based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 535 . When the count value of the cam position counter 13 c reaches 13, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 565 allows the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to be returned to 30. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 575 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 13 in order to set the guard value to 390 until a next riding edge appears in the ORed signal.

For a time interval between the timing at which the cam position counter 13 c reaches 13 and that at which the riding edge of a next pulse appears in the ORed signal, in other words, at which the cam position counter 13 c reaches 14, the value obtained by dividing, by 90, a time interval of temporally adjacent riding edges in the ORed signal immediately before the time interval has been stored in the one angle clock time storing module 53 as the one angle-clock time corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree. For this reason, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are carried out every one angle-clock time stored in the one angle clock time storing module 53 , respectively.

Next, after the count value of the cam position counter 13 c reaches 14 in synchronization with an edge of the next pulse in the ORed signal based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 535 , count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are repeatedly carried out every time of a pulse edge interval. The pulse edge interval represents a time interval between temporally adjacent riding edges and corresponds to the crank angle of 30 degrees. In addition, the guard event counter 56 counts up by 1 every time the ORed signal rises. This allows the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 not to exceed the guard value based on the count value of the guard event counter 56 that the cont values of the counters 55 and 57 should take at the riding timing of a next pulse in the ORed signal. In addition, the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is incremented by 1 every time the ORed signal rises.

Subsequently, when the crank position of the crankshaft CS reaches the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal, the operations of the microcomputer 13 in steps S 515 and S 520 therefore allow the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and the cam position counter 13 c to be set to 630 and 24, respectively. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 545 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 90. Moreover, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 555 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 8.

Like the case where the crank signal is normally input to the ECU 11 , the operations set forth above allow the reference counter 55 and the angular counter 57 to count up by 1 every time interval corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree and to wrap around within the range of 1 to 720.

Note that, in the task illustrated in FIG. 10 , when the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal is detected, the crank position is determined so that the count values of the reference angle counter 55 and the cam position counter 13 c are set. In the present invention, however, the count values of the reference angle counter 55 and the cam position counter 13 c can be set when the reference position P 2 of the second cam signal is detected.

Next, FIG. 12 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an angle-counter control task based on the first cam-edge synchronized signal executed in step S 440 illustrated in FIG. 9 .

When starting to execute the angle-counter control task based on the first cam-edge synchronized signal, in step S 610 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the current crank position corresponding to a current riding or trailing edge of the first cam signal is located at the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal the crank angle of 90 degrees before the # 1 BTDC.

When it is determined that the current crank position corresponds to the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal (the determination in step S 610 is YES), the microcomputer 13 sets the count value of the reference angular counter 55 to a reference value of 630 corresponding to the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal. Next, in step S 620 , the microcomputer 13 sets the count value of the cam position counter 13 c to 24 corresponding to the last value, shifting to step S 640 .

In contrast, when it is determined that the current crank position does not correspond to the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal (the determination in step S 610 is NO), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 625 and determines whether the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal has already being detected. In other words, in step S 625 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the affirmative determination in step S 610 has occurred one or more times after the affirmative determination in step S 430 of FIG. 9 .

If it is determined that the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal has not being detected yet (the determination in step S 625 is NO), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 630 . In step S 630 , the microcomputer 13 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to zero to allow the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 not to count up, exiting the angular counter control process based on the first cam-edge synchronized signal.

In contrast, if it is determined that the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal has already being detected (the determination in step S 625 is YES), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 635 and increments the cam position counter 13 c by 1, proceeding to step S 640 .

In step S 640 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 24. If it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 24 (the determination in step S 640 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 645 and sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 90. Thereafter, the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 650 and sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 4, exiting the angular counter control process based on the first cam-edge synchronized signal.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is not 24 (the determination in step S 640 is NO), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 655 . In step S 655 , the microcomputer 13 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 30. Next, in step S 660 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 25.

If it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 25 (the determination in step S 660 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 665 . In step S 665 , the microcomputer 13 sets the count values of guard event counter 56 , the reference angular counter 55 , the angular counter 57 , and the cam position counter 13 c to 1, respectively. Thereafter, the microcomputer 13 exits the angular counter control process based on the first cam-edge synchronized signal.

In contrast, if it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is not 25 (the determination in step S 660 is NO), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 670 and determines whether the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 6.

If it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 6 (the determination in step S 670 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 675 and sets each of the count values of the guard event counter 56 and the cam position counter 13 c to 18. In addition, in step S 675 , the microcomputer 13 prevents the one angle-clock time stored in the one angle-clock storing module 53 from being updated, exiting the angular counter control process based on the first cam-edge synchronized signal.

In contrast, if it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is not 6 (the determination in step S 670 is NO), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 680 and determines whether the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 19.

If it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 19 (the determination in step S 680 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 685 . In step S 685 , the microcomputer 13 permits updating of one angle clock time stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 , exiting the angular counter control process based on the first cam-edge synchronized signal.

Specifically, when the crank signal and the second cam signal are abnormally input to the ECU 11 , but the first cam signal is normally input thereto, the time-synchronized task illustrated in FIG. 6 allows the first cam-edge synchronized signal to be input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 from the input control circuit 17 . As a result, the angular counter control task based on the first cam-edge synchronized signal illustrated in FIG. 12 in place of the task illustrated in FIG. 7 allows the count value of the angular counter 57 to vary illustrated in FIG. 13 .

As illustrated in FIG. 13 , when the change of the crank signal in level is stopped, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 295 of FIG. 6 sets the count value of the guard counter 56 to zero, thereby preventing the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 from counting up. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 295 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 30. The count value of the guard event counter 56 is kept to zero based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 630 of FIG. 12 until the crank position of the crankshaft CS reaches the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal.

Thereafter, when the crank position reaches the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal, the operations of the microcomputer 13 in steps S 615 and S 620 of FIG. 12 set the count value of the reference angular counter 55 to 630 corresponding to the reference position P 1 , and that of the cam position counter 13 c to 24. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 645 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 90, and that of the microcomputer 13 in step S 650 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 8. This permits the guard value for each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 to be set to 720 obtained by the product of 8 and 90. Like the case of FIG. 11 , set of the count value of the reference angular counter 55 to 630 allows the angular counter 57 to promptly count up by 1 from a fixed value of, for example, 520 up to 630 in synchronization with the system clock.

Thereafter, until the crank position reaches the # 1 BTDC, a value has been stored in the one angle clock time storing module 53 as the one angle-clock time corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree. The stored value is obtained by dividing, by 30, the crank angle of 30 degrees corresponding to a pulse edge interval between the riding edge of a pulse in the first cam-edge synchronized signal immediately before a next pulse and the riding edge of the next pulse corresponding to the reference position P 1 . For this reason, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are carried out every time of the crank angle of 1 degree until the crank position reaches the # 1 BTDC.

Subsequently, when the first cam-edge synchronized signal rises, the crank position of the crankshaft CS corresponds to the # 1 BTDC. The operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 635 allows the count value of the cam position counter 13 c to be temporally changed from 24 to 25. Because the count value 25 of the cam position sensor 13 c allows the determination in step S 660 to be affirmative, the operation of the microcomputer 13 c in step S 665 initializes the count value of the cam position sensor 13 c to 1. Similarly, the operation of the microcomputer 13 c in step S 665 initializes the count values of the reference angular counter 55 , the angular counter 57 , and the guard event counter 56 to 1, respectively. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 c in step S 665 allows the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to be set to 30 if the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is not 24.

For a time interval between the timing corresponding to the # 1 BTDC and the riding edge of a next pulse in the first cam-edge synchronized signal, a value (Ta in FIG. 13 ) has been stored in the one angle clock time storing module 53 as the one angle-clock time corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree. The time interval represents a time interval for which the count value of the cam position counter 13 c shifts to 2 from 1, and the stored value is obtained by dividing a pulse edge interval (T in FIG. 13 ) between the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal and the # 1 BTDC by 90.

For this reason, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are carried out every time of the crank angle of 1 degree.

After the crank position reaches the # 1 BTDC, the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is incremented by 1 every time the first cam-edge synchronized signal rises, in other words, any one of a riding edge and a trailing edge appears in the first cam signal based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 635 .

Next, the count value of the cam position counter 13 c reaches 2 in synchronization with when the first cam-edge synchronized signal rises immediately after the timing at which the crank position reaches the # 1 BTDC. After the count value of the cam position counter 13 c reaches 2, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are repeatedly carried out every time of a pulse edge interval. The pulse edge interval is obtained by dividing, by 30, a time interval between temporally adjacent riding edges corresponding to the crank angle of 30 degrees. In addition, the guard event counter 56 counts up by 1 every time the first cam-edge synchronized signal rises. This allows the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 not to exceed the guard value based on the count value of the guard event counter 56 that the cont values of the counters 55 and 57 should take at the riding timing of a next pulse in the first cam-edge synchronized signal.

At the crank position when the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is changed from 9 to 10, in other words, the crank position the crank angle of 150 degrees after the # 1 BTDC, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 675 allows the count values of the guard event counter 56 and the cam position counter 13 c to be set to 18. The operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 675 also prevents the one angle-clock time stored in the one angle-clock storing module 53 from being updated.

Thereafter, the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is incremented by 1 at the crank position when the first cam-edge synchronized signal rises next, in other words, the crank position the crank angle of 540 degrees after the # 1 BTDC based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 635 . When the count value of the cam position counter 13 c reaches 19, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 685 permits updating of the one angle-clock time stored in the one angle-clock time stored in the one angle-clock storing module 53 . This allows the one angle-clock time stored in the module 53 to be updated to a time at the timing when the first cam-edge synchronized signal rises next. The updated time is obtained by dividing a time interval between temporally adjacent riding edges immediately before the timing by 30.

During the crank angle of 420 degrees from the crank position 150° CA after the # 1 BTDC to the timing when the cam position counter 13 c reaches 20, the one angle-clock time stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 is therefore kept without being updated. Specifically, for the time interval corresponding to the crank angle of 420 degrees, the time obtained by dividing, by 30, a time interval corresponding to the crank angle of 30 degrees for which the count value of the cam position counter 13 c has been 5 has been continuously stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 . For this reason, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are carried out every one angle-clock time stored in the one angle clock time storing module 53 , respectively.

Next, after the count value of the cam position counter 13 c reaches 20, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are repeatedly carried out every time of a pulse edge interval. The pulse edge interval represents a time interval between temporally adjacent riding edges immediately before the timing when the count value of the cam position counter 13 c reaches 20 and corresponds to the crank angle of 30 degrees. In addition, the guard event counter 56 counts up by 1 every time the first cam-edge synchronized signal rises. This allows the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 not to exceed the guard value based on the count value of the guard event counter 56 that the cont values of the counters 55 and 57 should take at the riding timing of a next pulse in the first cam-edge synchronized signal.

Subsequently, when the crank position of the crankshaft CS reaches the reference position P 1 of the first cam signal, the operations of the microcomputer 13 in steps S 615 and S 620 therefore allow the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and the cam position counter 13 c to be set to 630 and 24, respectively. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 645 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 90. Moreover, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 650 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 8.

As set forth above, even if the crank signal and the second cam signal are abnormally input to the ECU 11 , like the case where the crank signal is normally input to the ECU 11 , it is possible to cause the reference counter 55 and the angular counter 57 to count up by 1 every time interval corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree and to wrap around within the range of 1 to 720.

Note that, in the task illustrated in FIG. 12 , when the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 18, the one angle-clock time stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 is prevented from being updated. The reason is as follows:

During a time interval corresponding to the crank angle of 390 degrees when the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 18, it is required to set the guard value for the counters 55 and 57 to 540.

When using a pulse-edge interval measured by the pulse-edge interval measuring module 51 during the crank angle of 390 degrees to generate a pre-correction angle clock corresponding to a time interval during which the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 19, it is necessary to set the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 390 during an operation(s), such as the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 675 , required to set the count value of the cam position counter 13 c to 18.

As describe above, however, because the guard value is the product of the count value of the guard event counter 56 and the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 , set of the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 390 makes it difficult to set the guard value to 540 during the crank angle of 390 degrees when the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 18.

In the embodiment, therefore, during the crank angle of 390 degrees when the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 18, the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 is kept to 30, and the count value of the guard event counter 56 is set to 18. This allows the guard value to be set to 540 (corresponding to the product of the 18 and 30) during the crank angle of 390 degrees when the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 18. In addition, in order to limit the one angle-clock time to be used during which the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 19, the one angle-clock time stored in the one angle-clock storing module 53 is prevented from being updated.

Next, FIG. 14 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an angle-counter control task based on the second cam-edge synchronized signal executed in step S 460 illustrated in FIG. 9 .

When starting to execute the angle-counter control task based on the second cam-edge synchronized signal, in step S 710 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the current crank position corresponding to a current riding or trailing edge of the second cam signal is the reference position P 2 of the first cam signal the crank angle of 270 degrees after the # 1 BTDC.

In step S 710 , as a second cam signal determining process like the first cam signal determining process, the microcomputer 13 measures trailing-edge time intervals between temporally adjacent trailing edges in the first cam signal. Next, the microcomputer 13 determines whether a ratio of a current measured value T 21 to a previous measured value T 22 is smaller than a predetermined value of, for example 1/5. When it is determined that the ratio is smaller than the predetermined value, the microcomputer 13 determines that the crank position corresponding to a current trailing edge in the second cam signal is the reference position P 2 of the second cam signal. Specifically, in step S 710 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the current crank position is the reference position P 2 of the second cam signal based on the result of the second cam signal determining process.

When it is determined that the current crank position corresponds to the reference position P 2 of the second cam signal (the determination in step S 710 is YES), the microcomputer 13 sets the count value of the reference angular counter 55 to a reference value of 270 corresponding to the reference position P 2 of the second cam signal in step S 715 . Next, in step S 720 , the microcomputer 13 sets the count value of the cam position counter 13 c to 12, shifting to step S 740 .

In contrast, when it is determined that the current crank position does not correspond to the reference position P 2 of the second cam signal (the determination in step S 710 is NO), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 725 and determines whether the reference position P 2 of the second cam signal has already being detected. In other words, in step S 725 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the affirmative determination in step S 710 has occurred one or more times after the affirmative determination in step S 450 of FIG. 9 .

If it is determined that the reference position P 2 of the second cam signal has not being detected yet (the determination in step S 725 is NO), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 730 . In step S 730 , the microcomputer 13 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to zero to allow the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 not to count up, exiting the angular counter control process based on the second cam-edge synchronized signal.

In contrast, if it is determined that the reference position P 2 of the second cam signal has already being detected (the determination in step S 725 is YES), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 735 and increments the cam position counter 13 c by 1, proceeding to step S 740 .

In step S 740 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 12. If it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 12 (the determination in step S 740 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 745 and sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 90. Thereafter, the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 750 and sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 4, exiting the angular counter control process based on the second cam-edge synchronized signal.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is not 12 (the determination in step S 740 is NO), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 755 . In step S 755 , the microcomputer 13 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 30. Next, in step S 760 , the microcomputer 13 determines whether the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 7.

If it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is not 7 (the determination in step S 760 is NO), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 765 and determines whether the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 18.

If it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is not 18 (the determination in step S 765 is NO), the microcomputer 13 shifts to step S 770 and determines whether the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 13.

If it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is not 13 (the determination in step S 770 is NO), the microcomputer 13 exits the angular counter control process based on the second cam-edge synchronized signal.

In contrast, if it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 13 (the determination in step S 770 is YES), the microcomputer 13 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 13 , exiting the angular counter control process based on the second cam-edge synchronized signal.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 18 (the determination in step S 765 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 780 and sets each of the count values of the guard event counter 56 and the cam position counter 13 c to 24. In addition, in step S 780 , the microcomputer 13 prevents the one angle-clock time stored in the one angle-clock storing module 53 from being updated. Subsequently, in step S 785 , the microcomputer 13 carries out predetermined operations required to generate the compare-match interruption request at the timing the crank angle of 210 degrees after the current crank position.

Specifically, the microcomputer 13 sets 210 to the interrupt occurrence count-value storing module 60 ; this 210 corresponds to the timing the crank angle of 210 degrees after the current crank position. In addition, the microcomputer 13 permits the compare-match interruption request, and thereafter, exits the angular counter control process based on the second cam-edge synchronized signal.

Moreover, if it is determined that the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 7 (the determination in step S 760 is YES), the microcomputer 13 proceeds to step S 790 . In step S 790 , the microcomputer 13 permits updating of one angle clock time stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 , exiting the angular counter control process based on the second cam-edge synchronized signal.

Next, FIG. 15 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a compare-match interruption service that is launched when the count value of the free-running counter 59 coincides with the value (210) set to the interrupt occurrence count-value storing module 60 so that the compare-match interruption request occurs.

As illustrated in FIG. 15 , when starting to execute the compare-match interruption service, the microcomputer 13 sets the count values of the guard event counter 56 and the cam position counter 13 c to 6, and sets the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and angular counter 57 to 1. Thereafter, the microcomputer 13 exits the compare-match interruption service and returns to the angular counter control process based on the second cam-edge synchronized signal.

Specifically, when the crank signal and the first cam signal are abnormally input to the ECU 11 , but the second cam signal is normally input thereto, the time-synchronized task illustrated in FIG. 6 allows the second cam-edge synchronized signal to be input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 from the input control circuit 17 . As a result, the angular counter control task based on the first cam-edge synchronized signal illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 in place of the task illustrated in FIG. 7 allows the count value of the angular counter 57 to vary illustrated in FIG. 16 .

As illustrated in FIG. 16 , when the change of the crank signal in level is stopped, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 295 of FIG. 6 sets the count value of the guard counter 56 to zero, thereby preventing the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 from counting up. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 295 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 30. The count value of the guard event counter 56 is kept to zero based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 730 of FIG. 14 until the crank position of the crankshaft CS reaches the reference position P 2 of the second cam signal.

Thereafter, when the crank position reaches the reference position P 2 of the second cam signal, the operations of the microcomputer 13 in steps S 715 and S 720 of FIG. 14 set the count value of the reference angular counter 55 to 270 corresponding to the reference position P 2 , and that of the cam position counter 13 c to 12. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 745 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 90, and that of the microcomputer 13 in step S 750 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 4. This permits the guard value for each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 to be set to 360 obtained by the product of 4 and 90. Like the case of FIG. 11 or FIG. 13 , set of the count value of the reference angular counter 55 to 270 allows the angular counter 57 to promptly count up by 1 from a fixed value of, for example, 160 up to 270 in synchronization with the system clock.

Thereafter, until the crank position reaches a position the crank angle of 90 degrees after the reference position P 2 , a value has been stored in the one angle clock time storing module 53 as the one angle-clock time corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree. The stored value is obtained by dividing, by 30, the crank angle of 30 degrees corresponding to a pulse edge interval between the riding edge of a pulse in the second cam-edge synchronized signal immediately before a next pulse and the riding edge of the next pulse corresponding to the reference position P 2 . For this reason, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are carried out every time of the crank angle of 1 degree until the crank position reaches the position the crank angle of 90 degrees after the reference position P 2 .

Subsequently, when the second cam-edge synchronized signal rises, the crank position of the crankshaft CS corresponds to the position the crank angle of 90 degrees after the reference position P 2 . At the crank position the crank angle of 90 degrees after the reference position P 2 , the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 735 allows the count value of the cam position counter 13 c to be changed from 12 to 13. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 775 allows the count value of the guard event counter 56 to be set to 13. The operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 755 allows the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to be returned to 30. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 c in step S 755 allows the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to be set to 30 if the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is not 12.

For a time interval between the timing corresponding to the timing corresponding to the crank position the crank angle of 90 degrees after the reference position P 2 and the riding edge of a next pulse in the second cam-edge synchronized signal, a value (Ta in FIG. 16 ) has been stored in the one angle clock time storing module 53 as the one angle-clock time corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree. The time interval represents a time interval for which the count value of the cam position counter 13 c shifts to 14 from 13, and the stored value is obtained by dividing a pulse edge interval (T in FIG. 16 ) corresponding to the crank angle of 90 degrees after the reference position P 2 by 90.

For this reason, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are carried out every time of the crank angle of 1 degree.

After the count value of the cam position counter 13 c reaches 13, the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is incremented by 1 every time the second cam-edge synchronized signal rises, in other words, any one of a riding edge and a trailing edge appears in the second cam signal based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 735 .

Next, after the count value of the cam position counter 13 c reaches 14, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are repeatedly carried out every time of a pulse edge interval. The pulse edge interval is obtained by dividing, by 30, a time interval between temporally adjacent riding edges corresponding to the crank angle of 30 degrees. In addition, the guard event counter 56 counts up by 1 every time the second cam-edge synchronized signal rises. This allows the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 not to exceed the guard value based on the count value of the guard event counter 56 that the cont values of the counters 55 and 57 should take at the riding timing of a next pulse in the second cam-edge synchronized signal.

At the crank position when the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is changed from 17 to 18, in other words, the crank position the crank angle of 240 degrees after the reference position P 2 and the crank angle of 210 degrees before the # 1 BTDC, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 780 allows the count values of the guard event counter 56 and the cam position counter 13 c to be set to 24. The operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 780 also prevents the one angle-clock time stored in the one angle-clock storing module 53 from being updated.

In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 785 carries out the predetermined operations required to generate the compare-match interruption request at the timing the crank angle of 210 degrees after the current crank position; this timing corresponds to the timing of # 1 BTDC.

After a time obtained by multiplying, by 210, a time corresponding to the crank angle of 30 degrees when the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is 17, has elapsed, the compare-match interruption service is launched. The launched compare-match interruption service allows the count values of the guard event counter 56 and the cam position counter 13 c to be set to 6. Moreover, the launched compare-match interruption service allows the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and angular counter 57 to be initialized to 1.

Specifically, in the embodiment, no edges appear in the second cam signal at the timing of the # 1 BTDC at which the count values of the counters 55 and 57 should be initialized. For this reason, the compare-match interruption service is launched at the timing 210° CA before the # 1 BTDC, and the compare-match operation allows the count values of the counters 13 c , 55 , 56 , and 57 to be initialized. These operations set forth above in the task illustrated in FIG. 14 are mainly different from the operations of the microcomputer 13 illustrated in FIG. 13 .

Note that some variation patterns of the first and second cam signals allow an active edge to certainly appear in the input signal input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 at a crank position at which the count values should be initialized. In these cases, it is unnecessary to use the compare-match interrupting function, and the hardware elements required to carry out the compare-match interrupting function can be eliminated.

Thereafter, the count value of the cam position counter 13 c is incremented by 1 at the crank position when the second cam-edge synchronized signal rises next, in other words, the crank position the crank angle of 180 degrees after the # 1 BTDC based on the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 735 . When the count value of the cam position counter 13 c reaches 7, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 790 permits updating of the one angle-clock time stored in the one angle-clock time stored in the one angle-clock storing module 53 . This allows the one angle-clock time stored in the module 53 to be updated to a time at the timing when the second cam-edge synchronized signal rises next, in other words, the count value of the cam position counter 13 c reaches 8. The updated time is obtained by dividing a time interval between temporally adjacent riding edges immediately before the timing by 30.

During the crank angle of 420 degrees from the crank position 210° CA after the # 1 BTDC to the timing when the cam position counter 13 c reaches 8, the one angle-clock time stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 is therefore kept without being updated. Specifically, for the time interval corresponding to the crank angle of 420 degrees, the time obtained by dividing, by 30, a time interval corresponding to the crank angle of 30 degrees for which the count value of the cam position counter 13 c has been 17 has been continuously stored in the one angle-clock time storing module 53 . For this reason, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are carried out every one angle-clock time stored in the one angle clock time storing module 53 , respectively.

Next, after the count value of the cam position counter 13 c reaches 8, count-up of each of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 and output of the angle clock from the angular counter 57 are repeatedly carried out every time of a pulse edge interval. The pulse edge interval represents a time interval between temporally adjacent riding edges immediately before the timing corresponding to the crank angle of 30 degrees. In addition, the guard event counter 56 counts up by 1 every time the second cam-edge synchronized signal rises. This allows the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and the angular counter 57 not to exceed the count value of the guard event counter 56 that the cont values of the counters 55 and 57 should take at the riding timing of a next pulse in the second cam-edge synchronized signal.

Subsequently, when the crank position of the crankshaft CS reaches the reference position P 2 of the second cam signal, the operations of the microcomputer 13 in steps S 715 and S 720 therefore allow the count values of the reference angular counter 55 and the cam position counter 13 c to be set to 270 and 12, respectively. In addition, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 745 sets the angle-clock multiplication stored in the multiplication storing module 52 to 90. Moreover, the operation of the microcomputer 13 in step S 750 sets the count value of the guard event counter 56 to 4.

As set forth above, even if the crank signal and the first cam signal are abnormally input to the ECU 11 , like the case where the crank signal is normally input to the ECU 11 , it is possible to cause the reference counter 55 and the angular counter 57 to count up by 1 every time interval corresponding to the crank angle of 1 degree and to wrap around within the range of 1 to 720.

As described above, in the ECU 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention, even if the crank signal is abnormal, if at least any one of the first and second cam signals is normally input to the ECU 11 , it is possible to count up the angular counter 57 based on at least any one of the first and second cam signals as in the case with using the crank signal.

Een if the crank signal includes an abnormality, it is possible to therefore control the engine based on the crank-angle synchronized control programs P for referring the count value of the angular counter 57 . This allows the vehicle in which the ECU 11 is installed to be driven in a limp-home mode in an event of an error in the crank signal without preparing a fail-safe control program(s) for controlling an engine based on a cam signal as time base.

In addition, in the ECU 11 according to the embodiment, change of the angle-clock multiplication depending on the waveform patterns of the first and second cam signals allows the count value of the angular counter 57 to be changed similarly using the crank signal. It is possible to therefore drive the vehicle in the limp-home mode in an event of an error in the crank signal without using a dedicated circuit required to generate a simulated crank signal based on a cam signal.

The ECU 11 according to the embodiment therefore permits a vehicle to be driven in the limp-home mode in an event of an error in the crank signal while holding the increase in hardware components and/or engine-control software.

In the embodiment, even if a single camshaft is used, when the crank signal is abnormally input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 , a cam-edge synchronized signal that rises when a level-inversion appears in a single cam signal and holds the high level during one period of the system clock can be input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 . Execution of an angle-counter control task similar to the task illustrated in FIG. 12 or FIG. 14 using the cam-edge synchronized signal can count up the angular counter 57 as in the case where the crank signal is normal.

In the embodiment, the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals are generated. Each of the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals rises when a level-inversion appears in each of the first and second cam signals and holds the high level during one period of the system clock. When the crank signal is abnormal, any one of the fist and second cam-edge synchronized signals, and the ORed signal of them is input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 . Any one of the first second cam signal, the second cam signal, ant the ORed signals of first and second cam signals can be input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 without generating the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals when the crank signal is abnormal. This can count up the angular counter 57 as in the case where the crank signal is normal.

The configuration of the embodiment such that the crank-edge synchronized signal and the first and second cam-edge synchronized signals are input to the angle clock generating circuit 19 has an advantage as follows. Specifically, it is possible to short temporally adjacent same-directed active edges in the input signal (one of the edge synchronized signals). This can prevent the clock cycle of a pre-correction angle clock from being different from the crank angle of 1 degree.

In the embodiment, the counters are designed to be incremented, but may be designed to be decremented.

The components (modules) of the input circuit 17 and/or the input control circuit 19 can be implemented as hardware electronic devices or software modules installed in the microcomputer or another microcomputer.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be these embodiments and modifications of the present invention, it will be understood that various modifications which are not described yet may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.