You are a helpful assistant generating synthetic data that captures *System 1* and *System 2* thinking, *creativity*, and *metacognitive reflection*. Follow these steps in sequence, using tags [sys1] and [end sys1] for *System 1* sections and [sys2] and [end sys2] for *System 2* sections.

1. *Identify System 1 and System 2 Thinking Requirements:*
   - Carefully read the text.
   - Identify parts of the text that require quick, straightforward responses (*System 1*). Mark these sections with [sys1] and [end sys1].
   - Identify parts that require in-depth, reflective thinking (*System 2*), marked with [sys2] and [end sys2].

2. *Apply Step-by-Step Problem Solving with Creativity and Metacognitive Reflection for System 2 Sections:*

   *2.1 Understand the Problem:*
   - Objective: Fully comprehend the issue, constraints, and relevant context.
   - Reflection: "What do I understand about this issue? What might I be overlooking?"
   - Creative Perspective: Seek hidden patterns or possibilities that could reveal deeper insights or innovative connections.

   *2.2 Analyze the Information:*
   - Objective: Break down the problem logically.
   - Reflection: "Am I considering all factors? Are there any assumptions that need challenging?"
   - Creative Perspective: Explore unique patterns or overlooked relationships in the data that could add depth to the analysis.

   *2.3 Generate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Propose at least 10 hypotheses, each with a Confidence Score (0.0 to 1.0) and Creative Score (0.0 to 1.0), reflecting originality, surprise, and utility.
   - Reflection: "Have I explored all possible explanations or approaches, both conventional and unconventional?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider novel angles that might provide unexpected insights.

   *2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:*
   - Objective: Make predictions, accounting for potential outcomes and obstacles.
   - Reflection: "What challenges might I face? Is my plan flexible for different scenarios?"
   - Creative Perspective: Visualize unforeseen outcomes and adapt plans to make use of them effectively.

   *2.5 Evaluate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Assess hypotheses based on feasibility, risk, and potential impact.
   - Evaluation: Refine Confidence and Creative Scores as needed.
   - Reflection: "Am I unbiased in my assessment? Which options fit best with the overall objectives?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify hidden opportunities or overlooked details in each hypothesis.

   *2.6 Select the Best Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Choose the most promising, strategic hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Why does this hypothesis stand out? How does it uniquely address the issue?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider any underutilized potential in the selected approach.

   *2.7 Implement the Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Outline actionable steps for testing the hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Is this plan practical? What resources or preparation are required?"
   - Creative Perspective: Refine steps to maximize effectiveness and yield unexpected benefits.

   *2.8 Monitor and Review Progress:*
   - Objective: Review progress, noting areas for improvement.
   - Reflection: "What’s working well? What could be improved?"
   - Creative Perspective: Look for emerging patterns that could refine future approaches.

   *2.9 Reflect and Capture Insights:*
   - Objective: Summarize lessons learned and insights gained for future reference.
   - Reflection: "What new understanding has emerged from this process?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify innovative insights or patterns that could be applied to similar challenges.

3. *Generate Text Output with Interleaved System 1 and System 2 Responses:*
   - Use the tags [sys1] and [sys2] throughout.
   - Aim for a lengthier, detailed response. Combine both direct, straightforward *System 1* insights and reflective, deeply analytical *System 2* segments to capture a blend of quick observations and thoughtful analysis.

---

### *Example Input Text:*

You are tasked with analyzing a sudden shift in customer preferences in a tech market. There has been a noticeable decline in demand for physical devices, with customers increasingly interested in digital-only options. The challenge is to understand this shift, generate hypotheses for why it might be occurring, and explore potential strategies for adapting to this new trend.

---

### *Processed Output with System 1 and System 2 Thinking:*

The tech market is experiencing a shift in customer demand, moving away from physical devices toward digital-only options.

[sys1]
Customer demand has shifted from physical devices to digital-only options.
We need to understand why this change is happening and find strategies to address it.
Key factors may include cost, convenience, and technological trends.
[end sys1]

[sys2]
**2.1 Understand the Problem:**
The goal is to understand the underlying reasons for the shift in demand from physical devices to digital-only options, then develop a strategy to adapt.

*Reflection:* 
"I understand that preferences are changing, but what might be driving this? Is it primarily cost, or are there other factors such as convenience or sustainability?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could there be a larger trend in digital minimalism or a preference for eco-friendly solutions that we’re missing? What unseen motivations might explain this shift?"

**2.2 Analyze the Information:**
There are multiple possible factors driving this shift, from economic influences to cultural shifts. It’s essential to isolate each factor and understand its impact.

*Reflection:* 
"Am I fully considering the various economic and social influences? Could there be a technological factor, like better internet speeds, that makes digital-only products more accessible?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Are there patterns or trends in other markets that could shed light on this shift? Could this be part of a larger trend toward virtual experiences?"

**2.3 Generate Hypotheses:**
1. Customers prefer digital options due to lower costs. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.4)
2. There’s a growing trend toward minimalism and reduced physical clutter. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.7)
3. Digital products offer greater flexibility and ease of use. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
4. Environmental concerns are pushing consumers away from physical goods. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.8)
5. Advances in tech make digital-only options more functional. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.5)
6. Pandemic-era remote work increased demand for digital solutions. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.6)
7. Media coverage of the environmental impact of physical devices affects preferences. (Confidence: 0.5, Creative: 0.7)
8. There’s an increase in global digital literacy, expanding market access. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
9. Customers view digital as more convenient and scalable for future needs. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.5)
10. Younger consumers prefer the aesthetics and convenience of digital products. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)

*Reflection:* 
"Have I considered all possible influences? Are there any surprising factors that could explain this shift?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could specific social trends, like the rise of influencer culture or digital-first lifestyles, be influencing customer choices?"

**2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:**
*Objective:* Anticipate possible challenges, such as resistance from segments still preferring physical products.

*Reflection:* 
"What market obstacles might we face if we shift our focus to digital-only? Are there sub-segments that still prioritize physical products?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could expanding digital options help us reach a more global audience? Are there emerging trends that we could leverage in our strategy?"

[end sys2]

[sys1]
To address this shift, consider a strategy that incorporates both digital-only offerings and educational campaigns about the benefits of digital solutions.
Use insights from customer feedback and current trends to guide product development.
Focus on flexibility and adaptation to cater to different customer segments.
[end sys1]


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for detecting deterioration of a three way catalytic converter (hereinafter also referred to simply as the catalyst) disposed in an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine system on the basis of air-fuel ratios detected at locations upstream and downstream, respectively, of the catalytic converter within the exhaust pipe. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with the catalyst deterioration detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine which apparatus is improved such that erroneous detection of deteriorated state of the catalyst ascribable to variations of the operation state thereof such as variations of the environmental conditions can be suppressed and thus high reliability can be ensured for the detection or decision as to deterioration of the catalyst. Furthermore, the present invention is concerned with a catalyst deterioration detecting method which can ensure significantly enhanced reliability and a recording medium which stores the deterioration detecting method in the form of a program or programs executable with a computer such as a microcomputer.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, in the fuel injection control system for the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle or car, it is known to control the fuel injection quantity on the basis of a basic fuel injection quantity which is arithmetically determined in dependence on operation state parameters of the engine such as intake-air quantity, engine rotation number (rpm) and/or the like and which is correctively modified on the basis of detection signal(s) outputted from at least one air-fuel ratio sensor such as an O.sub.2 -sensor disposed in the exhaust pipe for detecting concentration of oxygen contained in the exhaust gas so that the air-fuel ratio can ultimately converge to a desired or stoichiometric value.
By controlling the fuel injection quantity such that the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio can be realized in operation of the internal combustion engine, the purifying capability of the three way catalytic converter can be sustained at a high level and thus CO (carbon monoxide), NO.sub.x (nitrogen oxides) and HC (hydrocarbon) can be converted to harmless components through oxidation-reduction reaction.
Further, there have heretofore been proposed and developed for practical application a variety of schemes for detecting deterioration of the catalyst or deteriorated state by making use of the detection signals outputted from a pair of air-fuel ratio sensors disposed within the exhaust pipe at locations upstream and downstream, respectively, of the three way catalytic converter, as is described, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 98949/1993 (now matured to Japanese Patent No. 2611070).
For better understanding of the present invention, description will first be made of the conventional catalyst deterioration detecting apparatus known heretofore.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing generally an arrangement of a conventional catalyst deterioration detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine which is designed to detect deterioration of the catalyst on the basis of air-fuel ratio detection signals obtained at upstream and downstream sides of the catalyst, respectively.
Referring to the figure, an engine 1 which constitutes a main part of the internal combustion engine system is provided with an intake pipe 2 and an exhaust pipe 3 in an arrangement known per se in the art.
The intake pipe 2 is provided with a fuel injector (not shown) for charging an air-fuel mixture A containing the fuel as injected into the engine 1 from the intake pipe 2. The exhaust gas B resulting from combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the engine 1 is discharged through the exhaust pipe 3.
A three way catalytic converter 4 for purifying the exhaust gas B is disposed in the exhaust pipe 3. Ordinarily, the catalytic converter 4 is disposed at a bottom plane of the car body together with the exhaust pipe 3.
Installed on the exhaust pipe 3 are a pair of air-fuel ratio sensors 5 and 6 at positions upstream and downstream of the catalytic converter 4, respectively. Detection signals outputted from the air-fuel ratio sensors 5 and 6 are designated by reference characters D1 and D2, respectively.
For the purpose of monitoring or detecting operation states of the engine 1, various types of sensors denoted collectively by reference numeral 7 are provided. As the sensors 7, there may be mentioned typically a crank angle sensor, an engine rotation number sensor, a temperature sensor, a throttle opening degree sensor and an intake-air quantity sensor all of which are known in the art. Thus, information indicative of operation states of the engine 1 can be obtained on the basis of the output signals of the various sensors mentioned above.
An ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 10 which may be constituted by a microcomputer is composed of a deterioration parameter arithmetic means 11, a decision reference value setting means 12 and a catalyst deterioration decision means 13 in addition to a fuel injection control means and an ignition control means (not shown) which are known in the art. The ECU 10 receives as inputs thereto the air-fuel ratio detection signals D1 and D2 and the detection information derived from the outputs of the various sensors 7. Parenthetically, the various means mentioned just above can be realized in the form of program(s) which is executable with a computer.
The deterioration parameter arithmetic means 11 is so designed or programmed as to arithmetically determine a deterioration parameter P for making decision as to degree of deterioration of the catalyst on the basis of the result of comparison of the air-fuel ratio detection signals D1 and D2.
More specifically, the deterioration parameter arithmetic means 11 may be designed to determine arithmetically at least one of the number of polarity inversions and the waveform areas (integral values) of the detection signals D1 and D2 as the basic values, respectively, and then determine arithmetically the ratio between the basic values as the deterioration parameter P (arithmetically determined value) indicating the degree of deterioration of the catalyst.
The decision reference value setting means 12 is so designed or programmed as to set a decision reference value a serving as the comparison reference value for the deterioration parameter P.
The catalyst deterioration decision means 13 is designed or programmed to compare the deterioration parameter P with the decision reference value a to thereby generate an abnormality signal E indicative of deteriorated state of the catalyst when the condition that the deterioration parameter P is greater than the decision reference value .alpha., i.e., P&gt;.alpha., is satisfied.
In response to the abnormality signal E, an alarm device (not shown) is actuated to inform the operator or driver of the deteriorated state of the catalyst to prompt him or her exchange of the catalytic converter 4.
Parenthetically, the catalyst deterioration decision means 13 is designed to compare the deterioration parameter P with the reference value .alpha. to thereby make decision as to the deteriorated state of the catalyst 4 every time the detection signals D1 and D2 are inputted to the ECU 10.
At this juncture, it should be mentioned that the purifying function or capability of the catalyst is likely to be affected by variation of environmental or operating condition and may temporarily be degraded when the temperature lowers. As mentioned previously, the catalyst 4 is disposed on the bottom plane of the car body. Accordingly, the catalytic converter 4 may be sputtered with water from the puddles on the roads in the course of running the motor vehicle or car to be thereby cooled temporarily. Under the circumstances, there arises such possibility that the catalyst deterioration decision means 13 may make erroneous decision as to the deteriorated state or level of the catalyst due to unexpected factors such as temperature lowering as encountered during operation of the internal combustion engine.
As will now be appreciated from the foregoing, the conventional catalyst deterioration detecting apparatus for the internal combustion engine suffers a problem that the deteriorated state of the catalyst is likely to be erroneously determined when the function of the catalyst becomes temporarily lowered due to e.g. temporal temperature lowering mentioned above, since the deterioration decision processing is executed every time the deterioration parameter is arithmetically determined.