CONTROLLER FOR VARIABLE VALVE MECHANISM

An internal combustion engine is provided with a plurality of cylinders, air intake valves provided to each of the cylinders, and a variable valve actuation mechanism for varying the valve actuation of the air intake valves. A motor drives the variable valve actuation mechanism. A motor controller controls the motor. The internal combustion engine is capable of operating in a cylinder deactivation mode, in which the air intake valves of some of the cylinders are kept shut. When the internal combustion engine is reactivated from the cylinder deactivation mode, the motor controller executes an air intake amount correction process, in which the opening duration of the air intake valves is temporarily increased, thereby increasing the amount of air taken in by operating cylinder for which the air intake valves have been opened or closed even during the cylinder deactivation mode.